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Rabies Misdiagnosis Sparks Panic, Doctor Explains
10 Apr
Summary
- Throat spasms causing painful swallowing are classic rabies symptoms.
- Unusual sounds from spasms are not barking, unlike a viral video.
- Functional neurological disorders are potential causes for symptoms.
A viral video circulating on social media depicted a child exhibiting symptoms, including throat spasms that made swallowing extremely painful, a condition known as hydrophobia. These symptoms were widely, but incorrectly, suspected to be rabies.
Neurologist Dr. Chawla clarified that while throat spasms are a symptom of rabies affecting the brainstem, the sounds produced are not indicative of the disease. She noted that such symptoms could stem from functional neurological disorders, possibly triggered by severe fear, such as from a dog bite.
Dr. Chawla stressed the importance of accurate medical information and advised against immediate labeling of symptoms as rabies without proper neurological and psychiatric assessment. Misinformation can lead to unnecessary panic.
In a related incident, a teenager suspected of having rabies was referred to a hospital. Despite receiving two anti-rabies injections, the family's failure to complete the vaccination course led to infection, highlighting the critical need for adhering to medical advice.
