Hydrophobia means fear of water and is a late-stage symptom of rabies. Hydrophobia causes throat spasms when a person goes to drink water. Treatment at this stage is typically supportive.

Hydrophobia is a fear of water due to a rabies infection and is different from aquaphobia, which is an irrational fear of water and a form of anxiety disorder.

Rabies can cause throat spasms when a person goes to drink water. This can make it difficult to swallow or consume liquids. The spasms occur when a person goes to drink water, creating the appearance of a fear of water.

Rabies is a viral disease that humans can contract from a scratch or bite from an animal with rabies. Hydrophobia can occur in the later stages of a rabies infection once the virus progresses and reaches the central nervous system.

This article examines hydrophobia symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook.

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Hydrophobia is a symptom of rabies that causes throat spasms when a person goes to drink water. People may be unableTrusted Source to drink water even if they are extremely thirsty. This gives the appearance of a fear of water.

Aquaphobia is a psychological condition that causes an irrational fear of water. Aquaphobia is a type of specific phobia, which is a form of anxiety disorder. A specific phobia is an irrational fear that an object, living thing, or situation may trigger.

People with aquaphobia have an intense fear or dread of water, which may cause them to avoid all contact with water, such as:

  • drinking a glass of water
  • showering
  • swimming
  • washing dishes

Aquaphobia may create a physical response in people, such as gasping for air or fearing for their life. Treatment may include psychotherapy and medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication.

Symptoms of hydrophobia include throat spasms when trying to drink water. These spasms may feel likeTrusted Source a blockage in the throat and cause difficulty breathing.

People may have intense thirst but be unable to consume any water and may try to repel it. People may also have aerophobia, a fear of fresh air or drafts.

Hydrophobia is usually a later symptomTrusted Source of rabies. Initial symptoms of rabies may last for days and can include flu-like symptoms and discomfort, prickling, or itching around the bite area.

As rabies progresses, people may experience hydrophobia and other symptoms, such as:

Hydrophobia is a late-stage symptom of rabies. Rabies is a viral infection that can pass between mammals and affects the central nervous system.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, most people get rabies through a bite from an animal with rabies. In some cases, rabies may pass on through a scratch or saliva from a rabid animal reaching an open wound.

Most cases of rabies in the United States occur due to contact with a rabid wild animal, including:

  • bats
  • raccoons
  • skunks
  • foxes
  • mongooses

In other parts of the world, rabies is common in dogs.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source, there are currently no diagnostic tools for detecting a rabies infection before clinical signs appear.

This can make an early diagnosis difficult, but the presence of hydrophobia or aerophobia are clear signs of clinical rabies. Doctors will also check for a history of exposure to a rabid animal.

To confirm a rabies diagnosis, doctors may use laboratory testing to check for the presence of the rabies virus.

Hydrophobia is a late-stage symptom of rabies, and treatment may be supportiveTrusted Source rather than curative.

Once rabies reaches a clinical stage, in which doctors can diagnose the condition through signs and symptoms, it is usually fatal.

Doctors focus on preventing rabies from reaching this stage if there is a suspicion of contact with a rabid animal. Postexposure prophylaxis can preventTrusted Source the virus from reaching the central nervous system and includes:

  • thorough washing of the affected area with soap and water for at least 15 minutes
  • local wound treatment, such as cleansing and dressing the wound
  • a course of rabies vaccines
  • administering rabies antibodies into the wound

Hydrophobia occurs in the later stages of rabies and is a clinical sign of the infection. Once clinical signs of rabies are present, the condition is usually fatalTrusted Source. There are less than 20 reported cases of survival in humans with clinical rabies.

Receiving postexposure prophylaxis after an animal bite and before clinical signs develop can preventTrusted Source the rabies virus from reaching the central nervous system and causing hydrophobia or complications.

If people have contact with a wild animal or an animal they suspect is rabid, they should contact a doctor as soon as possible. This is particularly important if a person has a break in the skin, such as a scratch or bite.

People can also wash any wounds straight awayTrusted Source with soap and water. A doctor will assess the potential risk of rabies and decide on appropriate treatment, such as postexposure prophylaxis.

Hydrophobia is a fear of water due to infection with the rabies virus. It causes throat spasms when a person tries to drink, even if they are extremely thirsty. Once clinical signs such as hydrophobia develop, rabies may not be treatable and can be fatal.

If people have any contact with a wild or rabid animal, particularly if they have a scratch or bite, it is important to wash the wound thoroughly and contact a doctor as soon as possible.

Treatment with postexposure prophylaxis can prevent rabies from progressing. This includes thorough cleansing of the wound or affected area and a course of rabies vaccines.