There are no treatments once the infection is established. When exposure to an infected animal is suspected, rabies prevention should be started immediately. Rabies vaccine injections are given the day the person is exposed and on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 after exposure.
If a person is treated before symptoms occur, they are watched carefully to make sure they don't develop rabies. Once symptoms develope, death usually occurs. Treatment can be tried in an intensive care unit, but is generally not successful.