DISSCUSSION:
As we all know in rabies hydrophobia is very prominent and is
pathognomic of rabies too. The pathophysiology of hydrophobia is well
known. The temporal lobe with hypothalamus region of brain got infected
by the retrograde dissemination of rabies virus via peripheral nerves
causes seizures, lethargy and later on (if involves) corticospinal tract
causes paralysis2, 3.
It also causes an infiltration/ infection of the salivary glands since
the saliva is the gateway to reproduction and eternity for the virus. An
infection of the parotid and other salivary glands causes shooting pain
when the glands are excited (by trying to drink or to eat). Drinking is
worse than eating than respiring (rabies is also causing
aerophobia)4. So, due to these shooting pain
sensations, a rabid person avoids the trigger mechanisms, which are
drinking and eating. Thus, with minimal seeing of water causes
respiratory or deglutination muscle spasm reflex.
It is clear from our findings that with minimal blow to any ear causes
increase in humidity (due to moist air from examiners mouth) in the
auditory canal which in turn sends impulses via those auditory nerves to
temporal lobe thus stimulating the reflex.