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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Safe To Miss 4th Dose Of Rabipur After A Dog Bite?

Hi Doctor. My name is Pablo and I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I was bitten by an street dog, the puppy lives in a poor house and it can be qualified as a street dog. He bit me in my left heel, close to the bone and I bleeded a little. This was on July 14th, 2014. The following day I went to a public hospital and they gave me a shot of Rabipur (first shot: July 15th, 2014), I received a second shot of Rabipur on July 18th, 2014, and then I received the 3rd shot on July 22nd. Tomorow I need to receive the 4th shot but I am away from Argentina, in a small town in Switzerland (Gstaad). I told the people in Buenos Aires before I left that I would not be able to receive the 4th shot because I needed to leave the country due to work, and they told me to try to get the Rabipur and get it, they told me that would be the best, otherwise if I don t do it, I would need to re schedule again. I am here and I could not yet get the rabipur, so..., what do you think I should do.????
I am going back to Buenos Aires on August 13th in the morning, and I would need to give the 5th shot of Rabipur on August 12th......
After I was bitten by that dog I saw the dog many times during the next week, so I am sure that the dog did not die.
what do you think it would be the best thing to do???
Thank you very much!!!
Thu, 9 Oct 2014
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Infectious Diseases Specialist,  's  Response
Hello,
welcome to HCM,

Rabies is a 100% fatal disease but 100% preventable by proper and adequate treatment. Dog is a known reservoir of rabies virus and can transmit rabies by biting.

In your case as you have taken three shots of antirabies vaccine and unable to take fourth shot of anti rabies vaccine. As the dog is available for observation for more than 10 days, it suggests me that the dog is not having rabies and you are safe from getting rabies.

So the fourth shot of anti rabies vaccine in your case is not required and nothing to worry about missing this shot.
Thank you.
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Is It Safe To Miss 4th Dose Of Rabipur After A Dog Bite?

Hello, welcome to HCM, Rabies is a 100% fatal disease but 100% preventable by proper and adequate treatment. Dog is a known reservoir of rabies virus and can transmit rabies by biting. In your case as you have taken three shots of antirabies vaccine and unable to take fourth shot of anti rabies vaccine. As the dog is available for observation for more than 10 days, it suggests me that the dog is not having rabies and you are safe from getting rabies. So the fourth shot of anti rabies vaccine in your case is not required and nothing to worry about missing this shot. Thank you.