Rabies usually progresses through different stages.
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate rabies:
Prodromal stage
Symptoms
- Anorexia (loss of appetite).
- Fever
- Cephalgia (headache)
- Local reactions at the bite wound such as itching, burning, increased sensitivity to pain.
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
- Restlessness
Acute neurological phase
Symptoms of the encephalitic form
- Marked hydrophobia – fear of water, accompanied by gulping spasms.
- Photophobia (photophobia)
- Depressed mood alternating with aggressive mood
- Hallucinations
- Cramps of the muscles of the extremities or the trunk
- Irritability with fits of anger
- Spasms of the pharynx with a strong flow of saliva
- Hyperactivity
Symptoms of the paralytic form
- Increasing paralysis (paresis).
Coma
- Respiratory paralysis
- Coma
- Increasing physical deterioration
