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Hi, I Was Bitten By A Dog In November 2017
Question: Hi,
I was bitten by a dog in November 2017 and I took 5 doses of anti-rabies vaccine (Vaxirab N). About two months ago, I took Tetanus injection, too.
Yesterday, I was scratched by a dog. So, I have three questions and they are as follows:
a) I was reading in a journal by the National Center for Disease Control, XXXXXXX that if a person has been administered Rabies Immunoglobulin in the past, he doesn't need it again. Only 5 shots of anti-rabies vaccines are required. Am I correct in my assessment?
b) Do I need to take a tetanus injection? For how many months can tetanus give me cover?
c) So, I only need to take 5 shots of anti-rabies vaccine. Am I correct?
Please suggest.
I was bitten by a dog in November 2017 and I took 5 doses of anti-rabies vaccine (Vaxirab N). About two months ago, I took Tetanus injection, too.
Yesterday, I was scratched by a dog. So, I have three questions and they are as follows:
a) I was reading in a journal by the National Center for Disease Control, XXXXXXX that if a person has been administered Rabies Immunoglobulin in the past, he doesn't need it again. Only 5 shots of anti-rabies vaccines are required. Am I correct in my assessment?
b) Do I need to take a tetanus injection? For how many months can tetanus give me cover?
c) So, I only need to take 5 shots of anti-rabies vaccine. Am I correct?
Please suggest.
Brief Answer:
Kindly upload photo of the scratch
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Kindly upload photo of the scratch so that I am better able to answer your questions.
Dr Vaishalee
Kindly upload photo of the scratch
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Kindly upload photo of the scratch so that I am better able to answer your questions.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My camera isn't working properly. Hence, I cannot send you the photo. But, the following is what I read from WHO journal:
: If a previously immunized person is bitten
by a rabid dog again, what is the reexposure
vaccination schedule?
If a person has been previously fully vaccinated
against rabies using a modern rabies vaccine, either
for pre-exposure or post-exposure vaccination by IM
or ID route, only two doses of vaccines are given on
days 0 and 3. (However, a full vaccination course is
recommended for those previously vaccinated with
nerve tissue vaccine.)
Persons previously immunized against rabies have
two distinct comparative advantages.
● It is not necessary to administer RIG, even in a
category III exposure.
● Pre-vaccination leads to added protection by
inducing memory cells causing an accelerated
immune response when a booster dose of vaccine
is administered.
This is the URL: http://www.who.int/rabies/resources/SEA_CD_278_FAQs_Rabies.pdf
So, can you please suggest me the procedure.
: If a previously immunized person is bitten
by a rabid dog again, what is the reexposure
vaccination schedule?
If a person has been previously fully vaccinated
against rabies using a modern rabies vaccine, either
for pre-exposure or post-exposure vaccination by IM
or ID route, only two doses of vaccines are given on
days 0 and 3. (However, a full vaccination course is
recommended for those previously vaccinated with
nerve tissue vaccine.)
Persons previously immunized against rabies have
two distinct comparative advantages.
● It is not necessary to administer RIG, even in a
category III exposure.
● Pre-vaccination leads to added protection by
inducing memory cells causing an accelerated
immune response when a booster dose of vaccine
is administered.
This is the URL: http://www.who.int/rabies/resources/SEA_CD_278_FAQs_Rabies.pdf
So, can you please suggest me the procedure.
Brief Answer:
Two methods to treat fear of rabies
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
I have reviewed your query and understand your concerns.
The recommendations by WHO are absolutely correct and we need to follow them word by word.
There are two methods to manage your fear of rabies:
One is by taking Rabies vaccine again and again and unnecessarily subject oneself to its side effects. This will affect your health longterm. You do not need rabies immunoglobulin, tetanus shot or 5 doses of rabies vaccine. If you have been bitten by a rabid dog and bleeding happened, then 2 doses of rabies vaccine are needed.
Second is by accepting your fears and take your mind off it. Let the fear be in your pocket and do not let it get the best of you. Get busy with work. Have a healthy lifestyle, do exercise, jogging etc. Meditation can help allay your fears.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more doubts.
Dr Vaishalee
Two methods to treat fear of rabies
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
I have reviewed your query and understand your concerns.
The recommendations by WHO are absolutely correct and we need to follow them word by word.
There are two methods to manage your fear of rabies:
One is by taking Rabies vaccine again and again and unnecessarily subject oneself to its side effects. This will affect your health longterm. You do not need rabies immunoglobulin, tetanus shot or 5 doses of rabies vaccine. If you have been bitten by a rabid dog and bleeding happened, then 2 doses of rabies vaccine are needed.
Second is by accepting your fears and take your mind off it. Let the fear be in your pocket and do not let it get the best of you. Get busy with work. Have a healthy lifestyle, do exercise, jogging etc. Meditation can help allay your fears.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more doubts.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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