Rabies is an infamous virus known for invoking rabid behavior in mammals. It’s most commonly spread through saliva, which is why you never want to be bitten by a stray animal, be it a cat, dog, raccoon, or anything else along those lines.
If medical attention isn’t sought immediately after being bitten by an infected animal, the result can be fatal. The virus ravages the human body just as it would any other mammal, and as a neurotropic virus, it has a profound impact on the brain. Captivatingly, your immune system can’t detect the rabies virus, and so the latter has virtually no trouble multiplying and spreading to your central nervous system.
After the virus enters the brain, victims experience sudden odd behaviors, including agitation, anxiety, confusion, hyperactivity, and hallucinations, among others. After the virus takes control of the brain, it spreads to the salivary glands – this is why rabies is so easily transmitted through a bite. As you might come to expect, a human exhibiting rabid behavior via rabies will bite another human.
Humans can seek medical attention if they believe they’ve contracted rabies, and the treatment is more effective the sooner you request it. A series of vaccinations can boost the immune system enough to target the rabies virus before it reaches the brain, and this can prevent you from succumbing to the virus’ nasty effects.
