A82.9: Rabies, unspecified
Rabies is caused by a virus. The virus occurs in bats, foxes and dogs, for example. You can catch it from infected animals or people. The virus can be transmitted via saliva. This can happen if you are bitten by an infected animal, for example. You can also be infected by the fluid from vaccine bait. Vaccine bait is put out for wild animals in order to combat rabies. The vaccine bait contains an attenuated virus.
Rabies can first cause a fever and headaches. If you have been bitten, that area may become red and sore. The skin in that area may also feel tingly or numb.
Rabies can also make you seriously ill. The brain may become inflamed. You can then become agitated and confused. You may also perceive things that are not really there. You may also suffer from drooling and develop a fear of water. Rabies can also cause you to develop ascending paralysis. With ascending paralysis, first of all the legs are affected. Over time the paralysis spreads nearer and nearer to the head. Paralysis can also cause breathing problems.
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