Why Rabies is One of the Deadliest Infectious Diseases

Rabies is a viral disease that has earned a fearsome reputation due to its almost complete lethality once symptoms begin. Understanding the reasons behind its deadliness is crucial for both preventing and treating this terrifying illness.

Neurotropic Virus

Rabies is primarily caused by the rabies virus, a neurotropic virus with a strong affinity for the central nervous system (CNS). Upon entering the body through a bite, the virus travels along peripheral nerves to the brain and spinal cord, where it can cause severe neurological damage. This neurotropic nature of the virus is one of the primary reasons why it is such a dangerous threat to human health.

Latent Period

Another critical factor in the deadliness of rabies is its latent period. Following infection, there can be a long incubation period, ranging from weeks to months, during which the person may not show any symptoms. This delay can lead to a false sense of security, as the virus is silently progressing toward the CNS. By the time symptoms appear, the disease has usually advanced to a severe, and often irreversible, state.

Severe Neurological Damage

Once the virus reaches the CNS, it causes a range of severe neurological symptoms, including confusion, agitation, hallucinations, paralysis, and ultimately coma. The damage to the brain and spinal cord is often irreversible, leading to a high mortality rate. The severity of the damage is such that it can result in acute encephalitis, massive and incurable brain damage, which can lead to seizures, comas, and death.

Lack of Effective Treatment

Perhaps most concerning is the lack of effective treatment for symptomatic rabies. Once clinical symptoms appear, the disease is almost universally fatal. There is currently no effective antiviral treatment for symptomatic rabies. The only way to prevent the disease after potential exposure is through timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes a series of rabies vaccinations and, in some cases, rabies immune globulin. The failure to develop an effective treatment has contributed to the high mortality rate associated with rabies.

Immune Evasion

A key mechanism by which the rabies virus evades the immune system is through its slow spread and ability to hide within nerve cells. This makes it difficult for the body to mount an effective immune response. The virus's ability to evade the immune system contributes to its lethality, as a robust immune response is crucial for combating viral infections.

Personal Hypothesis: My personal hypothesis is that the virus works mainly through the acetylcholine-receptors either as an antagonist or an agonist. However, I leave this hypothesis to the specialists to verify and explore further.

Conclusion

The combination of neurotropic virus, long latency period, severe neurological damage, lack of effective treatment, and immune evasion mechanisms all contribute to the deadliness of rabies. Understanding these factors is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies. Given its high mortality rate, it is essential to educate the public about the risks and importance of timely and appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis.