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From: sdyer@bbncc5.UUCP (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: Viruses (esp. rabies)
Message-ID: <388@bbncc5.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 15-Aug-85 14:15:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: bbncc5.388
Posted: Thu Aug 15 14:15:01 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 19-Aug-85 20:20:27 EDT
References: <140@drutx.UUCP> <713@mcnc.mcnc.UUCP>
Organization: Bolt Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 16

> I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but I think that it isn't
> rabies that kills, it is the symptoms.  If an individual with rabies
> can be treated for the symptoms the disease itself will run its
> course.  I seem to remember that this has been done in at least one
> case with no long-term harm to the victim.  I'd appreciate a followup
> if I'm remembering incorrectly.

Tetanus kills with its symptoms--if agressive enough treatment is
instituted, the person can weather the effects of the toxin.
Rabies is another matter.  Treating the symptoms can often suppress
them, but the patient almost never recovers.  Apparently, the damage
to the CNS is too great.
-- 
/Steve Dyer
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