rabies
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rabies
A life-threatening viral disease in mammals and humans that attacks the central nervous system and is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal.
Dank regelmäßiger Impfungen von Füchsen gilt die Tollwut in Deutschland als weitgehend ausgerottet.
Thanks to regular vaccinations of foxes, rabies is considered largely eradicated in Germany.
The word 'Tollwut' (rabies) is made up of 'toll' (an old term for 'crazy' or 'insane') and 'Wut' (rage). Literally, it describes a state of 'insane rage,' which alludes to the symptoms of the disease.
Früher fürchteten die Menschen die Tollwut sehr.
In the past, people were very afraid of rabies.
Certain verbs are often used in connection with 'Tollwut' (rabies): 'sich gegen Tollwut impfen lassen' (to get vaccinated against rabies), 'die Tollwut übertragen' (to transmit rabies), or 'an Tollwut erkranken' (to contract rabies).
Wildtiere können Tollwut auf Haustiere übertragen.
Wild animals can transmit rabies to pets.
Pay attention to the prepositions: You are vaccinated 'gegen' Tollwut (against rabies), but you can die 'an' Tollwut (of/from rabies). There can be a suspicion 'auf' Tollwut (of rabies).
Der Hund muss gegen Tollwut geimpft sein, um ins Ausland reisen zu dürfen.
The dog must be vaccinated against rabies in order to be allowed to travel abroad.
fit of rage
'der Koller' and 'die Tollwut' can be confused because both can be connected to uncontrolled behavior or illness. In everyday language today, however, 'Koller' usually means a sudden fit of rage or loss of control in a person. The older meaning as a horse disease is outdated. 'Tollwut', on the other hand, is a real, dangerous viral disease in animals and humans. So you do not say 'Tollwut' when someone simply gets very angry. And you do not say 'Koller' when talking about the medical disease after an animal bite.
Nach dem Biss eines fremden Hundes fragte die Ärztin sofort nach einer Impfung gegen Tollwut.
After the bite from an unfamiliar dog, the doctor immediately asked about a rabies vaccination.
Als der Computer wieder abstürzte, bekam meine Kollegin einen Koller.
When the computer crashed again, my colleague had a fit of rage.