How does rabies cause fear of water?

Answer 1

Hydrophobia (fear of water) is a classical sign of terminal rabies infection. This isn't a true "fear" but is rather a reasonable response to the lack of control over the mouth and throat - drinking water could result in aspiration of that water into the lungs, a painful and potentially lethal problem.

Answer 2

No. People used to think it did because animals with rabies would avoid water and other liquids, but the reason they were avoiding them was because rabies can make swallowing, especially liquids, painful. See the Related Link.

Answer 3

Hydrophobia is one of the late signs if you have rabies. It is more a shying away from water rather than a fear, since dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is a common later symptom of rabies.

Answer 4

Hydrophobia occurs towards the end of rabies occurance i know this because i once had rabies along with my family, While it isn’t very much a fear as more of a backing away from.