User:Sarahlujoseph/Rabies virus

Classifications and Antigenic Types
The Lyssavirus genome includes a variety of viruses ranging from the rabies virus to genetically and anti-genetically rabies-like related viruses. These viruses include Lagos Bat, Mokola, and Duvenhage viruses, as well as European bat viruses. Through other anti-genetic characterization, over 350 rabies viruses of just the Americas were discovered. Four phylogenetic groups were associated with these viruses. Additionally, other areas of ciruculation for the virus, such as E. fuscus, were found through this discovery. Although these viruses are from the same genome, cross-protection studies show that animals that had taken the Lyssavirus vaccine for traditional rabies were not fully protected when exposed to other types of Lyssavirus.

This leads to different categorization of these Rabies viruses. A fixed classification denotes that the virus was adapted by passage in animals or cell culture. Wild type classification, more generally known as street type, implies the virus was adapted through other means, such as a bite. To differentiate street rabies variants, monoclonal antibodies identified origins in host reservoirs throughout the world. This suggested sources of exposure even when the bite was missing from patient history.

Signs and symptoms[edit]
The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to those of the flu, including general weakness or discomfort, fever, or headache. These symptoms may last for days. There may be also discomfort or a prickling or itching sensation at the site of bite, progressing within days to symptoms of cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, and agitation. At the onset of these progressive symptoms, the disease begins to worsen. As the disease progresses, the person may experience delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, and insomnia. Rabies lyssavirus may also be inactive in its host's body and become active after a long period of time.

The incubation period for this virus, in some cases, can last anywhere from weeks to months. This does not depend on specific form of the virus. This long incubation period is most likely due to the presence of microRNA, which slow down viral replication in the muscles. However, when the patient starts to exhibit prodromal symptoms (fever, flu) and gastrointestinal symptoms, the virus has widely spread. Prodromal symptoms are noted within the first 2-10 days after incubation and include fever and fatigue. They can also involve the respiratory system, causing sore throat and cough, the gastrointestinal system, causing anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and central nervous system. The central nervous system is the most prevalent in some cases and includes systems like headache, vertigo, anxiety, nightmares, depression, and more. The neurological dysfunction starts when the central nervous system begins to slow and not function properly.