In my state, we have had three bats confirmed as having rabies. I know next to nothing about rabies and how it's caught. Throughout the world, however, rabies claims the lives of about 60,000 people yearly. Three to eight weeks after the bite of a rabid animal or bat, fever, headache and muscle soreness are the first signs that all is not well. Patients then become disoriented and hyperactive.
Seizures are common.
Some become paralyzed. An infected person often gags just at seeing a glass of water. The swallowing muscles go into painful spasms. Once rabies symptoms appear, there is little hope of saving the person. On the other hand, if treatment is begun shortly after the bite of a rabid animal, prevention of rabies is all but assured.