How Does Rabies Kill You?

He determined that Rabies neither kills by "destroying neurons or causing inflammation in the brain," but instead, causes excitotoxicity, which overstimulates the brain and causes the cells to die.

How quickly does rabies kill you?

Death usually occurs 2 to 10 days after first symptoms. Survival is almost unknown once symptoms have presented, even with intensive care.

How does rabies cause death?

Spasms affecting the muscles in the throat and pain or difficulty swallowing are often seen as the disease progresses. Eventually, a person infected with the rabies virus can slip into a coma and die. Death is usually caused by breathing failure.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.