On September 12, 2004, a routine Sunday at a church in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, turned into the beginning of one of the most remarkable medical stories in modern history. A teenage girl named Jeanna Giese tried to help a bat that had fallen to the floor. Weeks later, she would become the first person ever documented to survive rabies after symptoms appeared—without prior vaccination.

Her survival not only defied long-standing medical belief but also transformed rabies treatment protocols worldwide. This article explores the life-changing event, the science behind rabies, the experimental “Milwaukee Protocol,” and the lasting impact of Jeanna Giese’s survival.

Who Is Jeanna Giese?

Jeanna Giese is widely recognized as the first person in recorded medical history to survive symptomatic rabies without receiving the rabies vaccine beforehand. In 2004, at just 15 years old, she became the face of a breakthrough in infectious disease medicine.

Her case challenged a centuries-old assumption: once rabies symptoms appear, death is inevitable.

Before 2004, rabies had a near 100% fatality rate after clinical symptoms developed. Jeanna Giese’s survival reshaped global medical understanding and offered hope in a disease once considered untreatable.

The Incident That Changed Everything

A Bat in St. Patrick’s Church

The story began in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, at St. Patrick’s Church. A bat began circling during mass and was knocked down by an usher. After the service, Jeanna, an animal lover, attempted to rescue the creature.

While handling the bat, it bit her left index finger.

The wound seemed minor—small puncture marks. Her mother cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide at home. They didn’t seek medical attention. Like many people, they underestimated the risk of rabies transmission from bats.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bats are the leading cause of rabies transmission in the United States. Even minor bites can transmit the virus.

Understanding Rabies: Why It’s So Deadly

Rabies is a viral infection caused by the rabies virus, which attacks the central nervous system. Once symptoms begin, the virus has already reached the brain.

How Rabies Spreads

• Transmitted through saliva of infected animals

• Usually spread via bites

• Can enter through small cuts or mucous membranes

• Bats are the primary source of rabies cases in the U.S.

Early Symptoms of Rabies

• Fever

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Tingling at the bite site

Advanced Symptoms

• Confusion

• Agitation

• Hydrophobia (fear of water)

• Hallucinations

• Paralysis

• Coma

Historically, once neurological symptoms develop, survival was virtually impossible.

The Onset of Symptoms

About one month after the bite, Jeanna Giese began experiencing extreme fatigue and fever. She felt weak but continued with daily activities, including taking the PSAT and attending a volleyball game.

Her condition deteriorated rapidly.

She developed tremors, difficulty walking, and double vision. Her parents rushed her to the hospital, where doctors initially suspected meningitis or Lyme disease.

Eventually, samples were sent to the CDC.

The diagnosis: rabies.

The Medical Dilemma

At Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, pediatric infectious disease specialist:

Rodney Willoughby

faced a devastating reality. Rabies after symptom onset had no cure.

The standard protocol was palliative care—keeping the patient comfortable until death.

But Dr. Willoughby had an unconventional idea.

The Milwaukee Protocol: A Radical Approach

Dr. Willoughby theorized that the rabies virus caused damage by overstimulating the brain rather than directly destroying it.

The Hypothesis

If doctors could:

• Induce a coma

• Protect the brain

• Allow the immune system time to produce antibodies

Then survival might be possible.

This experimental approach became known as the “Milwaukee Protocol.”

The Risks

• Permanent brain damage

• Organ failure

• Death during coma

• No guarantee of success

Jeanna’s parents gave permission.

On October 18, 2004, she was placed into a medically induced coma.

Inside the Coma: A Battle Between Virus and Immune System

For two weeks, Jeanna remained in a controlled coma. Doctors administered antiviral medications and carefully monitored brain activity.

Seven days in, doctors began slowly reducing sedation.

Dr. Willoughby asked her to look at her mother.

Her eyes moved.

She was still there.

Thirty-one days after hospital admission, Jeanna Giese was declared rabies-free.

She had survived.

Why Jeanna Giese’s Survival Was Historic

Before 2004:

• Rabies mortality rate after symptoms: nearly 100%

• No documented survivors without prior vaccination

After Jeanna Giese:

• Proof that survival was possible

• New research into neuroprotective strategies

• Global reevaluation of rabies treatment protocols

Her survival was published in medical journals and discussed internationally.

Scientific Debate Around the Milwaukee Protocol

While Jeanna Giese survived, later attempts to replicate the Milwaukee Protocol had mixed results.

Some patients survived.
Many did not.

Researchers later concluded:

• The specific strain of rabies virus

• The patient’s immune response

• Timing of treatment

All play critical roles in survival.

Although controversial, the protocol opened the door to further research in neuroinfectious diseases.

Rabies Statistics: The Global Perspective

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

• Rabies causes approximately 59,000 deaths per year worldwide

• 95% of cases occur in Africa and Asia

• Most deaths result from dog bites

In the United States:

• Fewer than 10 human rabies deaths annually

• Most cases linked to bat exposure

Jeanna Giese’s case remains a rare exception.

Lessons from Jeanna Giese’s Story

1. Never Ignore Animal Bites

Even minor bites—especially from bats—require medical attention.

CDC recommendation:
If a bat touches you or you wake up in a room with a bat, seek medical advice immediately.

2. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Saves Lives

Rabies vaccination after exposure is nearly 100% effective if administered before symptoms start.

3. Early Diagnosis Is Critical

Once symptoms begin, treatment options are extremely limited.

Jeanna Giese’s Recovery and Life After Rabies

Recovery was not immediate.

Jeanna had to relearn:

• Walking

• Talking

• Basic motor skills

Intensive physical therapy helped her regain strength.

Today, Jeanna Giese is married, a mother, and works in healthcare. She frequently speaks about rabies awareness and prevention.

Her survival is not just a medical milestone—it is a public health reminder.

The Long-Term Impact on Medicine

Jeanna Giese’s survival led to:

• Expanded research into viral encephalitis

• New studies on brain protection during infections

• Increased awareness of rabies exposure risks

Medical professionals continue studying why she survived while others did not.

Her case remains a benchmark in infectious disease education.

Rabies Prevention: What You Should Know

If You Are Bitten by an Animal:

1. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes.

2. Apply iodine or alcohol if available.

3. Seek medical care immediately.

4. Follow physician recommendations for PEP.

Avoid:

• Handling bats

• Touching wild animals

• Ignoring unexplained scratches

Rabies is preventable—but only before symptoms appear.

Jeanna Giese’s Story Still Matters

The story of Jeanna Giese is not just about survival.

It is about:

• Medical innovation

• Parental courage

• Scientific risk-taking

• Public health awareness

Her case reminds us that medicine evolves. What was once considered impossible may become possible through research and bold thinking.

Yet it also reinforces a crucial message:

Rabies prevention remains the safest and most effective strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Was Jeanna Giese vaccinated before the bat bite?

No. She had not received a rabies vaccine before exposure.

Is the Milwaukee Protocol still used today?

It is rarely used and remains controversial. Prevention is still the standard of care.

How many people have survived rabies after symptoms?

Very few worldwide. Survival remains extremely rare.

Are bat bites dangerous?

Yes. Bats are the leading cause of rabies transmission in the U.S.

Conclusion

The survival of Jeanna Giese in 2004 transformed the medical world. Once rabies symptoms appear, death was considered inevitable. Her case proved that, under rare circumstances, survival is possible.

However, her story should not inspire complacency. Rabies remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases on Earth. Immediate medical care after animal exposure is critical.

Jeanna Giese’s legacy is twofold: a beacon of medical possibility and a reminder of the importance of prevention.

Her story continues to educate, inspire, and save lives.