What is a common cause of death in rabies victims?

Rabies is a viral infection that primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe neurological symptoms and, ultimately, death if not treated promptly. The common cause of death in rabies victims is paralysis of the breathing muscles. As the disease progresses, it attacks the nerves controlling the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles, causing respiratory failure. This paralysis can lead to an inability to breathe effectively, resulting in hypoxia and, eventually, death.

The other options, while they can be associated with other medical conditions, do not specifically account for the mechanism of death in rabies cases. Cardiac arrest may occur in a variety of critical medical scenarios, but it is not a direct consequence of rabies. Brain hemorrhage is typically associated with trauma or other health issues rather than the progression of rabies. Kidney failure might be related to other systemic issues but is not a common endpoint in rabies-related mortality. Thus, paralysis of breathing muscles is the most directly linked cause of death for those afflicted with rabies.