Rabies Means Madness
Rabies is a viral disease affecting the nervous system. The Latin name means rage, describing what it does.
Rabies is a viral disease of the nervous system, almost always fatal once symptoms appear. The Latin name means madness or rage, from the agitation it causes. Louis Pasteur developed the first vaccine in 1885, and it remains one of the few treatments that works after exposure, because the virus travels slowly along nerves.
- A viral disease. *A rabies vaccine.*
- Rabid — having rabies, or fanatical. *A rabid supporter.*
- Hydrophobia — an older name. *Death from hydrophobia.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | rabies | Canine rabies. |
| Adjective | rabid | A rabid animal. |
| Older name | hydrophobia | Called hydrophobia. |
| Related | rage | Blind rage. |
| Related | rave | Raving mad. |
How it is used in a sentence
- Rabies means madness in Latin.From the agitation it causes.
- Post-exposure treatment works.If given before symptoms appear.
- Rabid also means fanatical.Figurative.
Rabies facts
- Almost always fatal — once symptoms appear
- Post-exposure prophylaxis — effective if given promptly
- Hydrophobia — the fear of water caused by painful throat spasms
- Pasteur — developed the first vaccine in 1885
- Britain — has been free of rabies in land animals since the early twentieth century
From Latin *rabies*, madness or rage, from *rabere*, to rave — related to English *rage* and *rave*.
Why was it called hydrophobia?
Because the disease causes painful throat spasms when swallowing, producing an apparent terror of water.
Can rabies be treated?
Yes, if treatment begins before symptoms appear. Once symptoms develop, it is almost always fatal.