Rabies

Question 1

Is rabies a parasitic, viral, or bacterial infection?

Answer 1

Viral (RNA virus)

Question 2

What is the name of the organism that causes rabies?

Answer 2

Rhabdovirae family of viruses

Question 3

What is the vector for rabies?

Answer 3

Infected animal saliva via bite, from wild animals such as raccoons, bats, foxes, and coyotes. Can be infected by a domestic pet that has not been vaccinated.

Question 4

What animal do we know does NOT serve as a vector for rabies?

Answer 4

Squirrels

Question 5

What body part of vectors is sent to labs for testing for rabies?

Answer 5

ze brainnn (this is because the virus multiplies in the brain, it then is excreted in the saliva)

Question 6

Is rabies a reportable disease?

Answer 6

yes

Question 7

What are the symptoms a person with early onset of rabies present with?

Answer 7

Sx are non-specific and flu-like: weakness, general discomfort, fever, and headache

Question 8

Outside of sx, what does rabies cause in patients?

Answer 8

CNS infection and typically death

Question 9

Once sx appear, what is unlikely for patients with rabies?

Answer 9

survival

Question 10

Towards the late stages of rabies, what sx will the patient typically experience?

Answer 10

cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, agitation, delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, and insomnia

Question 11

What preventative actions can be taken to avoid contracting rabies?

Answer 11

Vaccination of animals and VPD in humans at high risk through pre-exposure prophylaxis