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Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is caused by a lyssavirus, a type of virus that is primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, often through a bite. The virus attacks the brain and central nervous system, causing inflammation of the brain and eventually leading to death if left untreated.

The symptoms of rabies can vary depending on the stage of the disease, but typically include flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, and fatigue, followed by more severe symptoms, such as agitation, confusion, and paralysis. Hydrophobia, or a fear of water, is also a common symptom, as the infected person may experience difficulty swallowing or actually have a contraction of the muscles when trying to drink.

The diagnosis of rabies is typically made through laboratory tests on a sample of the infected person's cerebrospinal fluid, skin, or saliva. There is no cure for rabies once symptoms have appeared, and the disease is almost always fatal if left untreated.

However, if symptoms have not appeared and the infected person is treated promptly with post-exposure prophylaxis, which includes a course of injections of rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccination, the disease can be prevented. Post-exposure prophylaxis is also effective in halting the progression of the disease if symptoms have begun to appear, but it can only be effective if administered in the very early stages of the disease.

Rabies is found in many parts of the world, with most areas where the disease exists being developing regions. vaccination campaigns have greatly reduced the incidence of rabies in developed nations, but the disease remains a significant threat in developing regions, where it is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people each year.