What is it: rabies is an acute, and occasionally fatal virus almost always
transmitted by dogs, jackals, foxes, skunks, cats, bats, mongooses, and farm
animals. Rabies is found on all continents, except Antarctica and
Australasia. Doctors have estimated that 2% of dogs in Bangkok are rabid
– no, the Beetle did not know that either.

How do I get it: the rabies virus is transmitted in the saliva of an
infected animal by biting or licking an open wound. The virus is usually
carried by Half of all people bitten by an infected animal will develop
rabies.

What happens if I get it: it can take weeks, months and sometimes years to
develop, although the usual incubation time is 2 to 8 weeks. Symptoms can
include loss of appetite, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, paralysis,
spasms of swallowing muscles, delirium, convulsion, and, in worse cases, coma
and death. Sometimes, odd behaviours manifest themselves in the form of
aggression, agitation or anxiety

Diagnose and treatment: samples of saliva and blood will determine
rabies. A course of rabies vaccinations will cure you. A
pre-exposure vaccine is available for travelers visiting high risk
countries. Seek medical help as soon as you have been bitten. The
earlier you can receive rabies injections, the better, even if you have
received a pre-exposure course of injections.

How can I avoid contracting rabies: if you are visiting a high risk area,
arrange to have rabies vaccinations. In any case, avoid contact with all
animals, whether domestic or wild. If you are bitten, wash the bite with
soap and water and then with alcohol or iodine to reduce the chances of
becoming infected.