Medical expert of the article
New publications
Rabies (hydrophobia) - Treatment
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The regimen is determined by the indication for hospitalization. Patients with hydrophobia are hospitalized in the intensive care unit. The development of rabies is accompanied by swallowing disorders, which requires the installation of a nasogastric tube and tube feeding.
There is no effective treatment for rabies. When the disease develops, the patient is hospitalized in an infectious diseases hospital (in the intensive care unit), where infusion, sedative therapy and anticonvulsant treatment are administered in compliance with anti-epidemic measures; muscle relaxants and narcotics are administered if necessary, and artificial ventilation is performed.
[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ]
Rabies prognosis
Rabies has a poor prognosis and is an absolutely fatal disease.