The rabies virus assaults the host's central nervous system, causing a variety of severe symptoms such as anxiety and bewilderment, partial paralysis, agitation, hallucinations, and, in its last stages, a condition known as "hydrophobia," or a dread of water. If not treated, rabies can lead to death. Humans become infected with the rabies virus when they are bitten by an infected animal. The virus enters our body through the bite site and travels via the bloodstream to the brain, where it begins to replicate itself. Most people who are infected with the virus will not know they have it because they do not experience any symptoms at all. However, some individuals do develop symptoms before they are diagnosed with rabies; these symptoms include: * Anxiety * Bewilderment * Headaches * Memory loss If you are suspected of having been exposed to rabies, immediately contact your doctor or emergency room staff so that appropriate precautions can be taken. They will want to know if you have experienced any of the above symptoms and if you have been bitten by a wild animal. Your health care provider may then recommend that you receive a series of vaccinations over a period of time. These vaccines contain parts of the virus that cause the disease in humans. The vaccine will not cause the infection itself but will produce antibodies that fight off any future infections.