Once the virus reaches the central nervous system the symptoms worsen such as insomnia, anxiety, confusion, partial paralysis, hallucinations and hyper salivation.
In the central nervous system, the virus blends in by binding to the host cell. The virus gains entry to the cell through endocytosis. The virus then travels to the cell body within the endosome. In the cell body the viral membrane fuses with the endosome. The viral components are produced and assembled and duplicate infected cells bud from this cell.
It is hard for doctors to diagnose rabies. The test (direct fluorescent antibody test) that find the rabies virus needs infected saliva, skin or brain and can only detect it late into the disease when it is too late for treatment. So doctors make a diagnosis based on contact with a potentially infect animal.
There is nothing we can do
The disease ends in death and is untreatable once symptoms occur.
However, the disease can be easily prevented with a vaccine. The shot can be given near where the animal bit you as soon as possible after the bite to treat the wound. You could also get the shot before being bitten to help your body learn to fight the rabies virus.
Over 59000 people die for rabies each year. They don't have to with a cure already found. Donating to organizations for rabies vaccinations can save lives.