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Can Rabies Vaccination Cause Itching On The Body?

Posted on Mon, 29 May 2017

Question: hello, i have a question regarding rabies. I was bitten on the leg by a dog in mid december in XXXXXXX The bite was not severe but it did break the skin and draw blood. i immediately cleaned the wound and went to the hospital that same afternoon. At the hospital they administered the first in a series of rabies vaccination shots. On the following morning i returned to the hospital and was given an immunoglobulin shot. I stayed in XXXXXXX for for several more weeks, completing the vaccination cycles on XXXXXXX 4th. i have since returned to the States and have had no noticeable complications or symptoms except an occasional tingling/itching at the wound site; it is often accompanied by a minor tingling in my face. my question is, is there a chance that these symptoms might be related to rabies? i find it odd that i would be feeling anything after all this time from such a minor wound. thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Vitamin B12 difficiency

Detailed Answer:
Dear sir, rabies vaccination is known to cause the side effects of tingling or itching in different parts of the body. but it is unlikely that the tingling will last all that time due to rabies vaccination.
The symptoms may be prolonged due to vitamin B12 difficiency so I suggest that you take vitamin B12 injections every other day for one week then continue on daily vitamin B12 tablets for one month. I hope I answered your question.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (47 minutes later)

Thank you for your prompt response. You stated, "it is unlikely that the tingling will last that long from the rabies vaccination." Though it may not be a side effect of the vaccination, is there a chance of it being a symptom caused by the rabies virus itself? I guess I'm mainly concerned with what the probability is, that although I took the prescribed medication, that I may still be infected with the virus. Im fairly certain that I have read a case study in which a patient followed the recommended rabies treatment to the letter and yet still eventually succumbed to the virus. Again, it seems odd to have sensations from the bite site after all this time. Thank you, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Impossible to be infected

Detailed Answer:
Dear sir, I understand your concerns but it is impossible that you are infected with rabies virus. Rabies virus is a very virulent and serious virus .. symptoms start to appear with 7-10 days after the bite . symptoms progress very rapidly leading to death shortly after. I has no cure once symptoms start and is fatal within a month after the bite in 100% of patients . The fact that you are alive 5 months after the bite means that you were never infected with the rabies virus and that the vaccine was effective. I hope you find this helpful.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T