Rabies: Understanding the Symptoms and Prevention Rabies is a severe, acute infectious disease caused by the rabies virus. Once symptoms appear, the fatality rate is almost 100%. The symptoms of rabies span across the nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Here’s a breakdown of what individuals might experience when infected with rabies. Symptoms of Rabies Nervous System Symptoms: Hydrophobia, an intense fear of water, is a classic symptom of rabies. Patients may experience severe throat muscle spasms just from seeing, hearing, or thinking about water. This occurs because the virus attacks nerve cells in the brainstem and cerebellum, leading to spasms... Learn more