Mother of Gooses: Facts on rabies and my ramblings

 Hello, my friends. Today, we are discussing one of the most terrifying diseases in the world: rabies.

Rabies is a virus that spreads through the saliva of infected animals, such as dogs, cats, coyotes, racoons, skunks, even bats; but I think you know this. What I want to talk about isn't what pretty much EVERYBODY knows. We are going a little deeper than the typical, "Oh, rabies is dangerous, dee-dee-dee. If you get bit, get the vaccine, la-la-la."

So what is rabies?

It's something you don't want to get.

Well,that's it, folks! If you want to read more, go to past posts, or wait till a scheduled day. And don't forget Random Chatty Days!

Bye!

-Mother of Gooses 

I'm kidding. Let's keep going.

Commonly known as hydrophobia (the fear of water) rabies affects the whole body, specifically the central nervous system; it  causes muscle paralysis, seizures, sensitivity to light, uncontrollable drooling, and, of course, the fear of water.

As well as the rest of these very pleasant symptoms, the victims are uncharacteristically grumpy, and more prone to, you guessed it, biting! 

Thus spreading the disease, which is exactly what the virus wants. 

Once the infected creature has bitten someone, the virus journeys through the nerves to the spinal cord, before entering the brain. Once it reaches the brain, symptoms start to show, and then there is no hope for you, bud.

While it makes it's deadly journey from the bite site to the brain, you won't know you're sick, like when you get COVID, or the stomach bug. This is called the incubation period.

However, while you're in the incubation period, you will feel anxious, as if your body knows something's not right; it just can't figure out what.

When it reaches the brain, it will multiply and go to your saliva glands, and make you drool and forth at the mouth like you have rabies or something. And, while it slowly destroys your brain, you will go through the things I mentioned above. And, eventually, almost inevitably, you will die.

Rabies is more common in the less medically advanced continents, such as Africa and Asia. These places are responsible for 95% of the rabies cases. 

What a reputation! 

When you get bitten, by ANY animal, you should wash it thoroughly with soap and water, then contact a medical professional; better safe than sorry. Rabies is no fun.

There is almost no chance of surviving without the shot; there have only been about three people who have survived without any of the usual treatment. Out of the millions of people who have died from rabies, that's low. It's low anyway, but... Wow.

Wait, I have a question: if the virus travels from the bite-site through your nerves to the spinal cord, to the brain, what happens if the animal bites your head? 

Things to know:

Type of virus: Lyssavirus.

How long the incubation period is: typically 20 to 90 days. Strangely, though, the incubation period has been as long as 6 years, and sometimes 4 days.

What the shot costs: $1,200 to $6,500.

I can't think of anything else to add to the subject; let me know if you know something else, or if you want to know something I haven't covered yet. 

If you want to read more, go to past posts, or wait until Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, or a Random Chatty Day. See ya later!

   -Mother of Gooses