How does rabies travel?

Answer 1

When a rabid dog bites an individual, the Rabies Virus (RV) gets inoculated into muscle. After undergoing a local replication in the muscle, RV enters the motor neurons and travels in a retrograde manner to reach the brain. The virus then replicates in the brain establishing the neurological symptoms and then reaches the salivary glands by centrifugal flow thus making the individual infective.

Studies have revealed that Phosphoprotein (P protein) of the RV binds to the dyenin protein present in the neuronal cells which aid in the transport through the neuron. Acetyl choline receptors have proven to act as receptors for virus binding and susequent entry into the neuronal cells. It has also been revealed that the hypocampal region in the brain is the center of RV infection from where the virus spreads to different parts of the CNS.

Answer 2

Rabies is an airbourne microorganism initially, some animals can become infected though inhalation. Subsequent infections occurs through bites as the virus exists in siliva. This is the most common method of passing it to humans, although some cases have been known through organ transplants.