Question

Rabies/Hydrophobia is caused by a
A. Fungus
B. Virus
C. Bacterium
D. Protozoan

Answer 1

The bite of a rabid (mad) dog and some other rabid animals such as monkeys, cats or monkeys may cause rabies, which is a fatal disease. Disease symptoms are not visible after infection even up to 1 or 3 months. The long period of incubation makes it possible for a rabies vaccination, after a bite, to develop immunity and prevent the appearance of the disease. It can be treated with Pasteur’s treatment (discovered by Louis Pasteur), in which a course of 14 vaccines were given.

Complete Answer:
- Fungal diseases are characterized by redness in skin, itching or irritation in a particular area and flaking of skin none of which are symptoms of rabies.
- Symptoms of bacterial infections include blood in urine, frequent urination, diarrhoea, irritation, Nausea and body pain.
- Common symptoms, which appear one to three weeks after exposure, include diarrhoea, nausea, stomach cramps, gas, greasy stool (because fat absorption is being blocked), and possible dehydration. The parasite remains in the colon and does not cause systemic infection.
- Symptoms of viral diseases are Flu, gastrointestinal disturbances, irritability, rash, sneezing, stuffy nose, nasal congestion, runny nose, or postnasal drip.
- We can say that out of these four types of infections, the symptoms of rabies are very similar to those of viral diseases.

Hence, we can say that rabies or hydrophobia is caused by a virus. The name of this virus is Rabies lyssavirus.

Note: Rabies is characterized by severe headache, high fever, painful contractions of muscles of throat and chest (due to which the patient feels difficulty in swallowing). The patient feels restless and excessive salivation, which in turn is similar to a sort of choking feeling and so the concerned patient finds difficulty to intake the food (including liquids). Gradually in this way forward, the patient develops a fear of water. That is why this specific disease is known as hydrophobia.