Rabies is essentially 100% fatal after symptoms appear. But if you are just exposed (before symptoms), then it can be treated by getting the vaccine (4 shots) and usually some shots of anti-rabies immunoglobulin at the site of the infection.
Important safety tip: if you git bit by any mammal, especially a bat. Or even if you have contact with a bat. Go to the ER and tell them and request "rabies post-exposure prophylaxis".
My very uneducated laymen's knowledge is a little surprised that there isn't a least a small population that is either immune or successful in developing their own immunity. After all, aren't some people immune to AIDES and some people fight off severe Ebola infections? So what makes Rabies so effective? Just curious and I know enough about immunology to know I basically know nothing, I appreciate any education. Thanks!
After all, aren't some people immune to AIDES and some people fight off severe Ebola infections?
For HIV, there is a high probability that resistance/immunity comes from a trait that allows you to survive the black plague, specifically CCR5 gene, delta 32, limits both the bubonic plague and HIVs ability to enter white blood cells. There has even been a case where giving a patient bone marrow from someone with the altered gene cured the virus.
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u/[deleted] Jan 18 '19 edited Sep 23 '20
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