Recent comments in /f/askscience

jsm1031 t1_jdkte0m wrote

Just to add, in case anyone is at risk, you do not have to be bitten by a rabid animal to contract rabies. Getting the saliva, or other body fluid in an open wound or break in the skin, or having a bite too small to see can also transmit. Post exposure prophylaxis is usually offered if for instance you found a bat in your bedroom that tests positive even without a recognized bite.

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dave_890 t1_jdkp989 wrote

More confusion, more agitation, more aggression => a greater likelihood of a biting incident.

The virus paralyzes the throat muscles, preventing the animal from swallowing properly. This produces the "foaming at the mouth", and makes it easier for the virus to spread via a bite.

There's a misconception of "hydrophobia" with rabies, but a rabid animal would certainly drink if it could swallow properly.

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fuckinequality t1_jdkl0r4 wrote

Well.

Perhaps every body should learn to swim.

And then. Let us build giant wind turbines that. Catch and release safely uh. Angry biting fish.

Like. Shoo go away lol idk and some we eat if they are too much idk.

Anyways.

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sciguy52 t1_jdkixla wrote

Rabies does not compel an animal to bite. I causes an animal to lose some natural fear of humans which makes them more likely to be near or approach a person. The animal itself is likely disoriented, confused or perhaps delirious (we can't tell what an animal thinks but know what happens in humans). So the animals brain is not working right, it is not experiencing its usual fear of things, and probably is quite confused and just reacts to whatever is near by biting.

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