In the book Old Yeller, Billy’s dog catches rabies. Though contracting rabies is not common, it is very deadly. But what is it anyway and how does it even work? Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks and changes the brain to the virus’s advantage. First, the virus spreads through infected saliva into another host to spread itself. Second, once a person is infected, the virus multiplies in the muscle tissue until moving up the spinal cord and into the brain. Then, the symptoms that the virus causes once in the brain are similar to some sort of weird and bad cold. Finally, you can prevent the spread by taking precautions. Also, once infected, it is important to take the vaccine before one starts experiencing symptoms and track down the animal that bit you. Rabies is both a deadly and sneaky virus that tries to hijack its victims.
To begin, humans only contract rabies from animals. One becomes infected with rabies when an infected animal’s saliva enters an open wound, most commonly through a bite. It can also be transported via organ transplants. In the US, there are only 1-3 cases of rabies per year, but in the rest of the world, there are 59,000 cases per year, mostly in under-developed countries in Africa and Asia. According to the Medical News Today, “Rabies is most common in countries where stray dogs are present in large numbers, with Asia and Africa accounting for 95% of cases.” Because rabies does not spread through breathing in the virus, it is hard to get the virus from other humans.
Once the virus is in an animal, it hides in the muscle tissue to avoid the immune system. There, it multiplies. Then, it travels to the spinal cord to go to the brain. Once in the brain, the infected animal will start to show symptoms and the chances to treat the virus will be nearly impossible. The virus is meant to multiply a lot in the brain and then move into the infected person’s mouth and into their saliva. The virus causes the animal to produce more saliva and foam in the mouth. Once the infected mammal bites another animal, the brutal virus is spread again.
Next, there are many symptoms the virus shows once in the brain. These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache, and fever – similar to flu-like symptoms. Then, the person might feel anxiety or agitation. The virus will also cause nightmares, hallucinations, and insomnia. Eventually, the virus will reach the person’s saliva and they will start to have the fear of water. According to the Medical News Today, “People used to call rabies hydrophobia because it appears to cause a fear of water. The reason is that the infection causes intense spasms in the throat when a person tries to swallow. Even the thought of swallowing water can cause spasms, making it appear that the individual is afraid of water.” Soon after, the patient will fall into a coma, in which death is right around the corner. All in all, rabies’ symptoms usually resemble a “weird cold,” but really, it is something more than a “weird cold.”
Finally, rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets and yourself if you are bitten by an animal suspected of rabies. If you get bitten by a supposedly rabid animal, make sure to vaccinate within 10 days. There is a cure for rabies; however, you must vaccinate before symptoms show, or else the virus will stay in the brain with no way to cure it.
In conclusion, rabies is a very scary virus. Its’ entry is very brutal, because it tries to hijack the host, and the symptoms trick the patient into thinking that they have just been infected with a bad cold. Thus, it is important to take the protocols to protect yourself against rabies.
Today is National Marshmallow Toasting Day! Go camping in the woods and toast some marshmallows over the campfire!
