How does rabies manifest in a human after a mouse bite? - briefly
After a bite from an infected rodent, early signs typically include fever, headache, and general weakness, followed within a few days by neurological disturbances such as agitation, confusion, difficulty swallowing, and muscle spasms. Without prompt post‑exposure prophylaxis, the disease advances to encephalitis and is almost invariably fatal.
How does rabies manifest in a human after a mouse bite? - in detail
Rabies infection following a rodent bite follows the same pathophysiology as any other mammalian exposure. The virus enters peripheral nerves at the wound site and travels retrogradely to the central nervous system.
The clinical course can be divided into three phases:
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Incubation – Duration ranges from a few weeks to several months, depending on factors such as bite location, depth, and viral load. Symptoms are absent; the wound may appear normal or show mild inflammation.
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Prodromal stage – Lasts 2–10 days. Early signs include fever, headache, malaise, and a sensation of tingling or itching at the bite site. Generalized fatigue and mild gastrointestinal upset may accompany these manifestations.
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Neurological phase – Divided into “furious” and “dull” forms.
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Furious type – Characterized by agitation, anxiety, and hypersensitivity to external stimuli. Patients develop intermittent muscle spasms, particularly in the neck and jaw (hydrophobia). Hyperventilation, excessive salivation, and difficulty swallowing are common. Seizures may occur as the disease progresses.
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Dull type – Presents with progressive paralysis, beginning in the limbs and advancing toward the respiratory muscles. Mental status may deteriorate into coma without the dramatic excitability seen in the furious form.
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Regardless of the presentation, once central nervous system involvement is evident, the disease is almost invariably fatal. Prompt post‑exposure prophylaxis—wound cleansing, administration of rabies immunoglobulin, and a series of rabies vaccines—must be initiated before the onset of neurological symptoms to prevent the fatal outcome.