Rabies may mimic acute psychiatric illness: Clinical suspicion is the key

Abstract

Rabies is still common in many parts of the world, including India. It is diagnosed primarily on the basis of clinical symptoms and signs; and the diagnosis is easily considered with a corroborative history of animal bite. However, its presentation may mimic acute psychiatric illness, which may delay the diagnosis. We present here a case where the diagnosis of rabies was overshadowed by possibilities of complicated alcohol withdrawal symptoms and highlight the need to ask for history of animal bite in acute psychiatric presentations, especially in countries where rabies is still common.