Brace yourself, what you’re about to see is jolting and real.
A recently shared video by Dr Keith Siau shows a patient in the throes of hydrophobia, a hallmark symptom of rabies. It’s raw. It’s alarming. And honestly, it’s the kind of footage that forces anyone to pay attention to what’s often overlooked: this virus isn’t just scary,it’s brutal. The clip shows intense throat spasms at the mere sight of water, uncontrollable agitation, drooling, and panic. This is more than fear. It’s terror made physical, and it’s a stark reminder: rabies isn’t just an animal-bite disease. It can destroy lives, fast.
What the video shows, without filters
In the footage you’ll see sudden agitation. The patient flails. Their throat muscles spasm at the approach of any liquid. Experts describe these as paroxysmal contractions of the pharynx, a classic sign of human rabies. Your instinct might be to turn away, but that reaction is exactly why this kind of documentation matters.
Why it’s called hydrophobia, and it’s not just fear of water
The term “hydrophobia” literally means water-fear, but in the context of rabies it’s far worse. The brain becomes trapped in a feedback loop: attempt to swallow → throat spasms → choking → fear reflex → more spasms. This vicious loop is driven by the rabies virus attacking the central nervous system. The patient doesn’t just hate water, they are rendered vulnerable by it.
Why the video matters
We live in an era when viral posts dominate. But watching a video like this cuts through the noise. It transforms the abstract “rabies” into something you feel. For doctors, students, and pet owners,this is a visual wake-up call that rabies isn’t just “fatal if untreated”,it’s a raging beast. And because we rarely see such footage, sharing it (with caution) can increase awareness in a big way.
Rabies is 100 % preventable, yet it still kills thousands
Here’s the kicker: despite all the horror, rabies is entirely preventable. Vaccinate your pets. Get treated after potential exposures. Educate. But globally, rabies still claims many lives each year, usually in regions where animal vaccination or post-bite treatment isn’t easily accessible. The video refocuses the conversation: prevention isn’t optional,it’s urgent.
Recognise the early signs before hydrophobia kicks in
Before the hydrophobic horror takes hold, rabies often starts like a flu: fever, fatigue, tingling at the wound site, maybe some anxiety, confusion. But soon it shifts. The video captures that shift. If you ever see watering of the eyes, throat spasms triggered by water or sound, aggressive restlessness,act fast. That window before full onset is your chance.
What you do if you suspect exposure
Bitten by an animal? Don’t wait. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Seek medical care immediately. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) has saved countless lives. Once symptoms hit like in the video, survival rates drop almost to zero. The good news? Early intervention works. The scary video? It shows you the consequences of delay.
Why some people still underestimate rabies
It’s easy to dismiss rabies in places where it’s rare. “That won’t happen to me” we tell ourselves. But the video breaks the illusion of safety. It says: no matter where you are, rabies follows the same vicious pattern. The brain-melting spasms, the hydrophobia,they don’t care about geography.
If you watch the video shared by Dr Siau, slow it down. Notice the spasms. The fear. The water becomes the enemy. Let it land. Because seeing is believing. Rabies isn’t just a disease,it’s a race against time, against the virus that sneaks in, hijacks the nervous system, and turns ordinary moments (like drinking water) into terror.
The video’s not for light eyes, but it’s for important ones. And if it wakes even one person to the reality of rabies, then watching it was worth it.
A recently shared video by Dr Keith Siau shows a patient in the throes of hydrophobia, a hallmark symptom of rabies. It’s raw. It’s alarming. And honestly, it’s the kind of footage that forces anyone to pay attention to what’s often overlooked: this virus isn’t just scary,it’s brutal. The clip shows intense throat spasms at the mere sight of water, uncontrollable agitation, drooling, and panic. This is more than fear. It’s terror made physical, and it’s a stark reminder: rabies isn’t just an animal-bite disease. It can destroy lives, fast.
What the video shows, without filters
In the footage you’ll see sudden agitation. The patient flails. Their throat muscles spasm at the approach of any liquid. Experts describe these as paroxysmal contractions of the pharynx, a classic sign of human rabies. Your instinct might be to turn away, but that reaction is exactly why this kind of documentation matters.
Apparently this is pathognomonic of a certain condition. What is it? pic.twitter.com/QFfewzQpuJ
— Keith Siau (@drkeithsiau) November 7, 2025
Why it’s called hydrophobia, and it’s not just fear of water
The term “hydrophobia” literally means water-fear, but in the context of rabies it’s far worse. The brain becomes trapped in a feedback loop: attempt to swallow → throat spasms → choking → fear reflex → more spasms. This vicious loop is driven by the rabies virus attacking the central nervous system. The patient doesn’t just hate water, they are rendered vulnerable by it.
Why the video matters
We live in an era when viral posts dominate. But watching a video like this cuts through the noise. It transforms the abstract “rabies” into something you feel. For doctors, students, and pet owners,this is a visual wake-up call that rabies isn’t just “fatal if untreated”,it’s a raging beast. And because we rarely see such footage, sharing it (with caution) can increase awareness in a big way.
Rabies is 100 % preventable, yet it still kills thousands
Here’s the kicker: despite all the horror, rabies is entirely preventable. Vaccinate your pets. Get treated after potential exposures. Educate. But globally, rabies still claims many lives each year, usually in regions where animal vaccination or post-bite treatment isn’t easily accessible. The video refocuses the conversation: prevention isn’t optional,it’s urgent.
Recognise the early signs before hydrophobia kicks in
Before the hydrophobic horror takes hold, rabies often starts like a flu: fever, fatigue, tingling at the wound site, maybe some anxiety, confusion. But soon it shifts. The video captures that shift. If you ever see watering of the eyes, throat spasms triggered by water or sound, aggressive restlessness,act fast. That window before full onset is your chance.
What you do if you suspect exposure
Bitten by an animal? Don’t wait. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Seek medical care immediately. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) has saved countless lives. Once symptoms hit like in the video, survival rates drop almost to zero. The good news? Early intervention works. The scary video? It shows you the consequences of delay.
Why some people still underestimate rabies
It’s easy to dismiss rabies in places where it’s rare. “That won’t happen to me” we tell ourselves. But the video breaks the illusion of safety. It says: no matter where you are, rabies follows the same vicious pattern. The brain-melting spasms, the hydrophobia,they don’t care about geography.
If you watch the video shared by Dr Siau, slow it down. Notice the spasms. The fear. The water becomes the enemy. Let it land. Because seeing is believing. Rabies isn’t just a disease,it’s a race against time, against the virus that sneaks in, hijacks the nervous system, and turns ordinary moments (like drinking water) into terror.
The video’s not for light eyes, but it’s for important ones. And if it wakes even one person to the reality of rabies, then watching it was worth it.
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