Why do people in the later stages of a rabies infection suffer from hydrophobia?
I understand that the disease attacks the brain, I just can't understand how that specific kind of phobia is associated with rabies.
2006-12-11 11:09:05 · 3 answers · asked by sparky52881 5 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Well, basically, with rabies you are completely insane because the virus inflames your brain. The virus somehow makes the brain respond to the urge to swallow with paralysis and cramps so agonizing that the person quickly learns to hate water. It does this because it doesn't want them to swallow all that infectious saliva. That explains the ropes of saliva that often hang from a rabid dog's mouth. A rabid person or animal also overproduces tears, which are also infectious.
2006-12-11 11:33:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hydrophobia in rabid persons starts with their inability to swallow water, which later on leads them to develop a fear of water. This initially begins as a pain in the throat or difficulty swallowing. On attempting to swallow, the muscles in the throat go into a brief spasm that lasts for a few seconds. Subsequently the sight, sound or even the mention of water (or any other liquid) can trigger further spasms. Hence hydrophobia
2014-03-21 02:41:12 · answer #2 · answered by Pink Pencil-Eraser 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hydrophobia is fear of water. i have no clue why rabies could cause it.
2006-12-11 19:29:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋