Z20: Contact with and exposure to communicable diseases

Z20.3: Contact with and exposure to rabies

Having contact with specific pathogens does not necessarily mean that you will get sick. Whether you get sick and which symptoms you develop depends on several factors. Among these for instance are how long you had contact with the pathogens or how many pathogens you were exposed to. Another factor is how well your own immune system works.

Rabies is caused by specific viruses. If you get sick with rabies, you may for instance have convulsions or become aggressive. The disease may also cause you to no longer be able to move your muscles properly.

You can be vaccinated against the disease. This should prevent the pathogens from causing symptoms. If you cannot be vaccinated against rabies in time, it is a serious and usually incurable disease.