Which disease is commonly linked to a “fear of water” as a symptom?

The disease commonly linked to a “fear of water” as a symptom is rabies. This association is particularly evident in the later stages of the disease, where patients may experience acute neurological symptoms, including hydrophobia, which is the intense fear of drinking water. This symptom arises due to spasms in the throat muscles, making it difficult and painful for patients to swallow, leading to a psychological fear of water.

While tetanus, plague, and mononucleosis are significant diseases with their own sets of symptoms, they do not typically present hydrophobia as a hallmark feature. Tetanus is associated with muscle stiffness and spasms, particularly in the jaw (lockjaw), but it is not characterized by a fear of water. Plague is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis and is primarily associated with fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes. Mononucleosis, often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, is known for symptoms like fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, but it does not produce hydrophobia. Thus, rabies stands out as the condition associated with the fear of water.