Comparison of clinical features between Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS)10 and paralytic rabies7
| GBS10 | Paralytic rabies7 |
| Features required for diagnosis | Four clinical patterns described |
| 1. Progressive weakness of more than one limb | 1. Paresthaesia and flaccid weakness confined to bitten extremity |
| 2. Areflexia | 2. Quadriplegic form |
| 3. Resembling transverse myelitis | |
| 4. Symmetrical ascending paralysis like GBS | |
| Clinical features supportive of diagnosis | |
| 1. Progression over days to 1–4 weeks | 1. More rapid progression |
| 2. Relative symmetry of neurological deficits | 2. The extremity with the bite may be more affected |
| 3. Mild sensory symptoms or signs | 3. Severe paraesthesia, fasciculation and myoedema in the extremity with bite |
| 4. Recovery beginning 2–4 weeks after progression ceases | 4. Rapidly progressive course with eventual CNS involvement and death; hydrophobia or aerophobia is pathognomonic if present |
| 5. Absence of fever at onset | 5. Fever is common, during prodromal phase |
| 6. Cranial nerve involvement does occur | 6. Cranial nerve involvement common as in GBS |
| 7. Autonomic dysfunction common | 7. Autonomic dysfunction is common as in GBS |
| Laboratory features supportive of diagnosis | |
| 1. Elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein with <10 cells | 1. Elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein with varying pleocytosis |
| 2. Electrodiagnostic features of nerve conduction slowing or block | 2. Peripheral nerve demyelination or axonal degeneration |