Does Intake Of Alcohol During Rabipur Vaccination Reduce The Power Of Antibody?

Posted on Mon, 6 Jun 2016

Question: Dear sir,
My name is XXXX XXXXXXX I was bitten by a dog which was exibiting signs of rabies. It was a stray dog and was very aggressive. Dog died within some days. I took the vaccination(rabipur) as per schedule. I drink alcohal regularly. During the vaccination also, i continued drinking. Doctor did not tell anything abt precaution. Now i read at various places that alcohal consumption may reduce the effectiveness of vaccunation. Is it itrue, i am very scared after reading this. If alcohal actually reduce the effectiveness of vaccination, then what should i do now. Should i start the vaccination again. Plz suggest me as you are a rabies specialist.

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Provide more information

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Dear XXXX XXXXXXX I have gone through your history and understand your concern.

I would like to know few more information like, when you were bitten by the dog, whether there was any bleeding and did you receive any rabies immunoglobulin injection?

Above information will help me to suggest further treatment.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (55 minutes later)

Dear Sir,

I was bitten on my leg. It was around 2.5 months back. Yes there was bleeding. I received the immunogloblin injection. I followed the schedule properly.

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Then nothing to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome back

If this has happened two and a half month ago and taken rabies immunoglobulin around the wound suggest me that you are 100% safe.

Alcohol intake may interfere with antibody production. But as incident has taken place more than 2 months ago and you have completed full course of treatment. Nothing is required for you.

You are 100% safe .
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (57 minutes later)

Dear sir,

As i said that i drink regularly and i continued drinking during vaccination schedule. I heard that rabies incubation period can be in years. so i fear that alcohal consumption during that period might have affected antibody formation. I have read contradictory information about the impact of alcohal on rabies vaccination. some said that it does affect the antibody formation and sone said that it does not have any impact. will rabies vaccination be ineffective if one consume alcohol when vaccination is going on. so plz give me detail answer on what to do as i am very scared.

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing is required

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Right now nothing is required. As you have taken rabies immunoglobulin and completed anti rabies vaccine.

Alcohol intake will interfere with antibody titre but if you have completed the full course of anti rabies vaccine definitely it would have induced protective antibody titres.

If you have still any doubt about your antibody titres you can undergo rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) to find out your antibody titres which should be more than 0.5 IU/ ml.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (32 minutes later)

Sir, plz tell me where to get this test done, can it be done in any normal labortary,

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It will be done in premier labs

Detailed Answer:
Hello
The RFFIT test will be done only in neuro virology labs. You can meet the microbiologist in your place and he will guide you where this test will be done.
Thank you.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina