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Is An Additional Fifth Dose Necessary For Complete Protection Against Rabies?

Posted on Wed, 5 Aug 2015

Question: Sir as ur a infectious specialist I'm asking u this question my dog is properly vaccinated And he scratch and little bit teeth involved no bleeding!!i have taken 3 doses on 0 3 7 now 55 days gone dog is joyful and perfect!!but due to anxiety I went to the doctor and he told me if ur so anxious and woreied then have your total immunization and he give me fourth dose on 52 day and told me that ur perfectly safe as after 50 days dog is alive and vaccinated but for ur satisfaction complete your immunization??sir I just want to know whether I go for fifth dose or not and idon't go for fifth dose will it effect anything becasue I'm sure now that dog is not rabid and sir will this 4 dose I have taken after long gap will cause any problem this is my only concern!!i have taken abhayrab!!
Sir I just want to know that 4 dose work as booster or just help last 3 doses to make the antibody?and sir will it cause any problem to my immunity as I have taken 4 dose at gap of 40 days from 3 dose and I go for fifth dose or not??
And sir is there anything to worry??or just I can relax and sleep soundly!!

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic,

As your dog is healthy after 55 days following the bite, nothing to worry. If dog is healthy after 10 days of bite it confirms that it is not having rabies virus in his saliva.

Regarding 4th dose of anti rabies vaccine which you have taken on 52nd day of the bite will not may any difference and will not affects the antibody protection too.

You are 100% safe and do not bother to much regarding your bite. you are perfectly alright and you donot need any further treatment.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (12 minutes later)

Thank you sir!!sir so 4 dose don't cause any harm to me it is 100% sure??
And sir now I can have beer as there nothing to worry and immunisation is over as I don't need 5 dose??

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
100% safe

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back,

As I have mentioned in my last response, you are 100% safe from rabies. Alcohol beverages will interfere in inducing antibody response to the anti rabies vaccine.

As the event has occurred 55 days back it will not have any effect on antibody titres.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (16 minutes later)

Sir if my dog is not rabid then there is no need that antibody should be in that much of level??if dog is not rabies all this vaccination will work for future and work as pre exposure for next bite??

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it will works as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

The vaccine which you have taken will act as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. In future if there is any bite you requires only two doses of anti rabies vaccine on days 0 and 3.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (25 minutes later)

Thank you sir for your review as it relaxes me more than 100%??sir now only thing I want to know is that can I have alchoal beverages becasue after 0 3 7 I have the beer 1 month later?and as 4 dose is of no use then I can have thee beer?becasue after 30 day of vaccination and before 4 dose on 52 day I have 3 times alchoal beverages in limited amount? So now I can have the alchoal as there nothing to worry?

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, If you don't have any other problem

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If you don't have any other problem related with liver. You can have alcohol beverages.
Thank you.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E