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What Are The Repercussions Of Overdose Of Rabies Vaccination?
Question: I have a question regarding rabies vaccination. I have health anxiety and rabies is a fixation. I have been over-vaccinated, I think.
I was fully vaccinated for rabies in 2013 (5 doses) for the first time. In 2014, I had 3 booster doses after an encounter with a street cat in Turkey. In April 2016, I had an encounter with a bat when I was living in a Middle Eastern country and I was sleeping, but not sure if I was bit. I received 5 doses again (per the doctor's recommendation after sharing my previous history), but was worried as that clinic was apparently using Chinese-made vaccines that may not have been legitimate. I then went to Turkey where I received two booster doses with a legitimate vaccine.
Now, in August 2017, it has been over a year and a half since I have had any rabies vaccines.
However, tonight I was walking near my home in a Middle Eastern country, and there were many bats in the air. I felt something hit the back of my head. I think it may have been a bat and knowing rabies is endemic here, I proceeded to the ER. This is a government hospital, but they had VeroRab.
My questions are two-fold:
1) With all the rabies vaccines I have gone under since 2013, am I at risk for my health? These were not nerve-tissue vaccines. I never felt adverse effects, but am worried about guillain barre disease or perhaps getting rabies itself. I work in poor countries where I cannot access a titre test to see what my antibody levels are, so when I feel there is a risk, I think it is best to get the vaccine than not.
2) The nurse administered the VeroRab in the fat behind my arm, in the middle area above my elbow, not in the deltoid area. Is this incorrect? From my understanding, I need boosters on Day 0 and Day 3, in the muscle. Does this mean I should go back and ask for Day 0 once more in my deltoid region?
An urgent query to these specific questions would be greatly appreciated as I am worried that my anxiety has put my health at risk with the high number of vaccinations over the years.
I was fully vaccinated for rabies in 2013 (5 doses) for the first time. In 2014, I had 3 booster doses after an encounter with a street cat in Turkey. In April 2016, I had an encounter with a bat when I was living in a Middle Eastern country and I was sleeping, but not sure if I was bit. I received 5 doses again (per the doctor's recommendation after sharing my previous history), but was worried as that clinic was apparently using Chinese-made vaccines that may not have been legitimate. I then went to Turkey where I received two booster doses with a legitimate vaccine.
Now, in August 2017, it has been over a year and a half since I have had any rabies vaccines.
However, tonight I was walking near my home in a Middle Eastern country, and there were many bats in the air. I felt something hit the back of my head. I think it may have been a bat and knowing rabies is endemic here, I proceeded to the ER. This is a government hospital, but they had VeroRab.
My questions are two-fold:
1) With all the rabies vaccines I have gone under since 2013, am I at risk for my health? These were not nerve-tissue vaccines. I never felt adverse effects, but am worried about guillain barre disease or perhaps getting rabies itself. I work in poor countries where I cannot access a titre test to see what my antibody levels are, so when I feel there is a risk, I think it is best to get the vaccine than not.
2) The nurse administered the VeroRab in the fat behind my arm, in the middle area above my elbow, not in the deltoid area. Is this incorrect? From my understanding, I need boosters on Day 0 and Day 3, in the muscle. Does this mean I should go back and ask for Day 0 once more in my deltoid region?
An urgent query to these specific questions would be greatly appreciated as I am worried that my anxiety has put my health at risk with the high number of vaccinations over the years.
Brief Answer:
Vaccine is effective.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Health care magic.
1. There is nothing called over vaccination and you need not worry in this regard. You still have some residual immunity but would need booster doses for proper effect.
2. It was still in the muscle. Just from.a different approach. The technique is not wrong. You do not need to go for it once again.
Regards
Vaccine is effective.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Health care magic.
1. There is nothing called over vaccination and you need not worry in this regard. You still have some residual immunity but would need booster doses for proper effect.
2. It was still in the muscle. Just from.a different approach. The technique is not wrong. You do not need to go for it once again.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
This is where the Verorab was given on my arm, on the back. Is this proper place for muscle? It is sore and red. Should I be concerned?
Brief Answer:
If improperly administered there could be development of an abscess
Detailed Answer:
Could you please upload an image of the area. If improperly administered there could be development of an abscess which could be concerning.
Regards
If improperly administered there could be development of an abscess
Detailed Answer:
Could you please upload an image of the area. If improperly administered there could be development of an abscess which could be concerning.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
please find attached image
Brief Answer:
No need to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for attaching the image. The injection has been applied to the triceps area. That is not a cause for concern. Going by the looks it does not seem likely to develop an abscess. Possibly a small blood vessel had been punctured while giving the injection and that possibly has led to localised extravasation of blood. It should take about 7 days to clear off but otherwise does not seem to be a cause for concern.
Regards
No need to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for attaching the image. The injection has been applied to the triceps area. That is not a cause for concern. Going by the looks it does not seem likely to develop an abscess. Possibly a small blood vessel had been punctured while giving the injection and that possibly has led to localised extravasation of blood. It should take about 7 days to clear off but otherwise does not seem to be a cause for concern.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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