Rabies - Definition

Rabies is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus. The virus that causes rabies is carried in saliva. It is transmitted when an infected animal bites another animal. Rabies affects humans and other mammals.

Another name for rabies is hydrophobia (pronounced HI-dro-fo-bee-uh). Hydrophobia means "fear of water." About half the people infected with rabies develop this symptom. Other symptoms include fever; depression; confusion; painful muscle spasms; sensitivity to touch, loud noise, and light; extreme thirst; painful swallowing; excessive salivation; and loss of muscle quality. Rabies can be prevented and treated by immunization (a protective treatment that causes the body's immune system to build up resistance to a particular disease; usually given as a shot). Without treatment, however, a person who is infected with rabies will almost certainly die.