Related concepts:

Hydrophobia

Introduction to rabies:

The vampire myth may have been inspired by the reality of a severe rabies epidemic in Hungary from 1721 to1728. Rabies may be transmitted by the bite of infected bats, wolves, other animals, or people. People with rabies are extra-sensitive to light, water, strong odors (garlic), and may refuse to look at their own reflections. Usually, the facial expression is grim, but confronted with any of these things, the person with rabies may have an involuntary spasm of the facial muscles, baring the teeth and frothing bloody fluid at the mouth. Rabies also changes the sleep-wake cycle and may cause hypersexuality.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a horrible viral illness that attacks the brain. It is fatal unless rabies shots are given promptly, before any symptoms appear.

Who gets rabies?

Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected, warm-blooded animals. Worldwide, dogs are the most common source of rabies. Rabies vaccination of pets has made dogs an uncommon source in the United States, where skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and bats are the main source of rabies infections. Contrary to popular belief, it is quite rare for rabies to infect small rodents such as squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, and mice or for lagomorphs such as rabbits and hares (RedBook 2010). For information specific to a particular region of the country or world, the local department of public health is often able to offer epidemiologic information on rabies infection of local wild and domestic animals.

Most people who get rabies have been bitten by an infected animal, but close contact with an infected bat will sometimes cause infection without a bite.

Some islands, such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and Hawaii, are generally free of rabies.