The incubation period can actually extend up to an entire year. This occurs because the virus resides in a latent state within the muscle spindles—much like how my professor at Johns Hopkins mentioned there have been documented cases where latency lasted for several years 😲. Furthermore, the symptoms tend to fluctuate based on the specific site of the bite or the initial point of infection.
Initially, the warning signs are quite vague and non-specific, often presenting as a fever, nausea, headaches, or abdominal discomfort. As the disease progresses, more distinct symptoms emerge, such as photophobia, hydrophobia, and aerophobia, eventually leading into the paralytic phase, which, for certain individuals, may serve as the
only indicator of the illness. Most frequently, the condition culminates in respiratory failure and various other complications, including edema, arrhythmias, and hypertension.
While the virus can be detected through specific serological testing, there is currently
no definitive cure available; however, medical professionals do administer what is known as
rabies immune globulin, alongside an inactivated vaccine.
Of course, if you ever suspect that you've been bitten by a rabid animal, you really ought to thoroughly flush out the wound and rush straight to an emergency room 😁
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There is some additional information regarding this here (I didn't feel like quoting the whole thing):
http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html