Rabies

Unlike most illnesses, you shouldn’t wait for symptoms to diagnose rabies. If you’ve been bitten or scratched by a wild animal or a pet that might have rabies, talk to your healthcare provider right away. They’ll examine your wound and ask questions to determine whether you need to be treated for rabies. You may also be tested for signs of rabies.

Your provider may ask you:

• How you got hurt.
• What kind of animal scratched or bit you.
• Whether they can test or observe the animal.

If the animal could have rabies, it’ll be watched for signs or tested, if possible. Animals have to be euthanized (humanely killed) to test them.

What tests will be done to diagnose this condition?

Tests for rabies might include:

• Saliva test. You’ll spit into a tube. It’ll be sent to a lab to look for signs of rabies.
• Skin biopsy. Your provider will take a small sample of skin from the back of your neck. Your skin sample will be sent to a lab to look for signs of rabies.
• Cerebrospinal fluid test (lumbar puncture). Your provider will use a needle to take a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from your lower back. Your CSF sample will be sent to a lab to look for signs of rabies.
• Blood tests. Your provider will use a needle to take blood from your arm. Your blood will be sent to a lab to look for signs of rabies.
• MRI. You’ll lie in a machine that takes pictures of your brain. Your provider will use the pictures to help determine what’s causing your symptoms.