Hydrophobia in Rabies infected patient Hydrophobia is a symptom commonly associated with rabies infection in humans. It is characterized by a fear of water and difficulty swallowing, which can be caused by spasms of the throat muscles. The fear of water in hydrophobia is often so intense that the patient may panic at the sight, sound, or even thought of water. The exact mechanism of hydrophobia in rabies is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the virus's effect on t...