system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5:How does rabies make it's victims 'afraid' of water?

Curious as to how rabies is able to make those infected with it 'afraid' of water to the point where even holding a glass of it causes negatives effects?
gpt
The virus affects the entire body, and especially hits us neurologically. What happens when you're thirsty and you see water? You salivate in anticipation of relieving that thirst. Salivation leads to swallowing, lest we drool. Well for someone in the later stages of rabies, swallowing becomes a very painful act...and as with anything painful, the mind tends to not want to repeat the act that leads to the pain. The Rabies virus causes severe muscle spasms in the throat, and even the sight of water can set them off. If that were happening to you, wouldn't you be 'afraid' of water, too?