National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Rabies is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
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National Institutes of Health
Rabies
Also called: Hydrophobia
Rabies is a deadly animal disease caused by a virus. It can happen in wild animals, including raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes, or in dogs, cats or farm animals. People get it from the bite of an infected animal.
In people, symptoms of rabies include fever, headache and fatigue, then confusion, hallucinations and paralysis. Once the symptoms begin, the disease is usually fatal. A series of shots can prevent rabies in people exposed to the virus. You need to get them right away. If an animal bites you, wash the wound well; then get medical care.
To help prevent rabies
- Vaccinate your pet. Rabies vaccines are available for dogs, cats and farm animals
- Don't let pets roam
- Don't approach stray animals. Animals with rabies might be aggressive and vicious, or tired and weak
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Overviews
- Rabies(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Rabies(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Rabies: Questions and Answers(Immunization Action Coalition) - PDF
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Treatment
- Animal Bites: First Aid(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Rabies: What Care Will I Receive?(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Also available in Spanish
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Prevention/Screening
- Precautions to Prevent Rabies(Food and Drug Administration)
- Protect Your Family from Rabies(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Rabies Vaccine(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF
- Also available in Spanish
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Disease Management
- Rabies Exposure: When Should I Seek Medical Attention?(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Also available in Spanish
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Related Issues
- Learning about Bats and Rabies(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Rabies Infection and Animals(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Rabies: Health Information for International Travel(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- What If I Receive Treatment Outside the United States?(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Organizations
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Statistics
- Burden of Rabies(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Rabies in the U.S.(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Children
- Kids and Rabies(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Rabies(Nemours Foundation)
- Rabies and Kids(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Patient Handouts
- Rabies
- Also available in Spanish
- Rabies Vaccine(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF
- Also available in Spanish
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You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages:
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
