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Should Rabies Vaccine Be Repeated After Mucosal Exposure?

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Posted on Tue, 1 Jul 2014
Question: Hello Doctor,
I had a full cycle post prophylaxis rabies vaccine ( 5 shots) before 1 year and 3 months. Again 3 1/2 months back I had 3 shots of post prophylaxis vaccine. Both the cases, I was not bitten by a dog, but I was licked by dogs in my hand and leg respectively where I had some small abrasions. Again few days back, I was licked by a dog in my hand but I am pretty sure that I didn't had any cuts and the lick was on intact skin. However I fear I had taken my infected hand to mouth unknowingly after the lick. Do I need to vaccinate again? Also I was given immunoglobulin with every vaccine shot that I had ( all the 8 times). Please make me clear if I need to vaccinate again?
Thanks!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You will require re-vaccination

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day

Dear Mr XXXXXXX

As you had lick on the hand and you had accidentally put the hand in mouth: It is equivalent to mucosal exposure which is severe exposure (Category 3).

If reexposed,(as in your case)
persons who have previously received full post-exposure prophylaxis
(either by IM or ID route) with a potent cell-culture vaccine should now be given
only two booster doses, intramuscularly (0.5ml/1ml)/intra-dermally on days 0 and 3. Proper wound toilet should be done. Treatment with
RIG(Rabies Immunoglbulin) is not necessary.
You can find the Government of XXXXXXX NAtional guidelines for management of Rabies prophylaxis.
http://www.ncdc.gov.in/Rabies_Guidelines.pdf

Rabies is a disease with 100% mortality. The risk of re-vaccination are less compared to mortality.

In case you require any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.

Take Care

Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore
MBBS,MS,MCH
Consultant Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (1 hour later)
Thanks Doctor!My hand was dry and when I accidentally touched my lips with my hand I realized my mistake that I didn't wash my hand.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Go ahead with vaccination

Detailed Answer:
Namasthe

Even though hand was dry there will be virus on it if the dog was infected. It's still advisable to go ahead with vaccination , especially if it's a stray dog.

Take care

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3195 Questions

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Should Rabies Vaccine Be Repeated After Mucosal Exposure?

Brief Answer: You will require re-vaccination Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to Healthcare-Magic Greetings of the day Dear Mr XXXXXXX As you had lick on the hand and you had accidentally put the hand in mouth: It is equivalent to mucosal exposure which is severe exposure (Category 3). If reexposed,(as in your case) persons who have previously received full post-exposure prophylaxis (either by IM or ID route) with a potent cell-culture vaccine should now be given only two booster doses, intramuscularly (0.5ml/1ml)/intra-dermally on days 0 and 3. Proper wound toilet should be done. Treatment with RIG(Rabies Immunoglbulin) is not necessary. You can find the Government of XXXXXXX NAtional guidelines for management of Rabies prophylaxis. http://www.ncdc.gov.in/Rabies_Guidelines.pdf Rabies is a disease with 100% mortality. The risk of re-vaccination are less compared to mortality. In case you require any further assistance, will be glad to assist you. Take Care Best Regards Dr Deepak Kishore MBBS,MS,MCH Consultant Surgeon