Rabies vaccine prevention

Overview

Rabies is a serious viral infection that affects the brain and nervous system. It is spread through the saliva of infected animals, usually from a bite or scratch. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it can be prevented completely with a vaccine given after exposure.

Rabies is rare in many countries like the UK, but it is common in parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where stray dogs are the main source of infection.

Anyone can get rabies if they are bitten or scratched by an infected animal. People at higher risk include travelers to areas where rabies is common, veterinarians, animal handlers, and people who work with bats.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Early symptoms: fever, headache, weakness, and a tingling or prickling feeling around the bite area.
• Later symptoms: anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, fear of water (hydrophobia), and paralysis.

Symptoms in children

• Children may show irritability, crying, and fearfulness in addition to the usual early symptoms.

Symptoms in older adults

• Older adults may develop confusion and weakness more quickly, and the disease may progress faster.

Causes

Main causes

• Rabies is caused by the rabies virus. It is usually spread through the saliva of an infected animal, most often via a bite.
• Less commonly, the virus can enter the body through a scratch, open wound, or contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Risk factors

• Living in or traveling to areas where rabies is common (parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America).
• Working with animals (veterinarians, animal control, wildlife researchers).
• Contact with bats, especially if you sleep in a room with bats or handle them.
• Being a child (children are more likely to be bitten on the head or neck, which carries a higher risk).

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Immediately after any animal bite, especially if the animal could be rabid.
• If you have a wound from a bat, even if you don't see a bite mark.
• If you have symptoms like tingling at the bite site, fever, or confusion after a potential exposure.

Book a routine appointment if:

• Before traveling to an area where rabies is common, ask your doctor about pre-exposure vaccination.
• If you work with animals or bats, discuss a pre-exposure vaccine with your doctor.

Diagnosis

Rabies is diagnosed by a doctor based on your history of an animal bite or exposure and your symptoms. There is no test to diagnose rabies in humans before symptoms appear. If you have been bitten, your doctor will start treatment immediately without waiting for test results.

Tests that may be done

• If possible, the animal is tested for rabies (usually after being euthanized).
• After symptoms appear, tests on saliva, skin, or spinal fluid can confirm rabies.

What to expect at your appointment

If you have been bitten, a doctor will clean the wound and give you a rabies vaccine and possibly rabies immune globulin (antibodies) as soon as possible. This is given as a series of injections over several weeks. You will need to return for all doses.

Treatment

There is no treatment for rabies after symptoms start. However, rabies can be prevented if medical care is given immediately after a bite. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). It consists of thorough wound cleaning, a course of rabies vaccine, and sometimes rabies immune globulin (a shot of antibodies).

Self-care at home

• Immediately wash the bite wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
• Apply an antiseptic like alcohol or iodine if available.
• Seek medical care immediately – do not wait for symptoms.

Medical treatments

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) includes a series of rabies vaccine injections. The first dose is given as soon as possible after exposure, followed by additional doses on days 3, 7, and 14. People who have not been vaccinated before also receive a shot of rabies immune globulin, which gives immediate antibodies. All treatments must be prescribed and given by a healthcare provider.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not used for rabies prevention or treatment.

Living with this condition

After receiving the rabies vaccine series, you can resume your normal activities immediately. Make sure to complete all doses of the vaccine as scheduled to ensure full protection.

Lifestyle tips

• Avoid contact with wild or stray animals, especially in rabies-endemic areas.
• If you travel, learn local rabies risks and avoid handling animals.
• Keep your pets vaccinated against rabies.

Diet and exercise

No special diet or exercise restrictions are needed after rabies vaccination. Eat a balanced diet to support your immune system.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

A bite from a potentially rabid animal can be frightening. It is normal to feel anxious. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional if you have ongoing worry. Remember that prompt treatment is highly effective.

Prevention

Yes, rabies is completely preventable with vaccination. Avoiding animal bites and getting the rabies vaccine after a bite are the best ways to prevent the disease.

Vaccines

There is a rabies vaccine that can be given to people before they are exposed (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for those at high risk, like veterinarians or travelers. After a bite, a different vaccine schedule is given (post-exposure prophylaxis). Both are safe and effective. Talk to your doctor about whether you need the vaccine.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening test for rabies. Prevention focuses on avoiding bites and getting vaccinated when needed.

Complications

If left untreated

• If rabies vaccination is not given after a bite and the virus enters the body, it will eventually cause severe brain inflammation.
• Without treatment, rabies is almost always fatal within days of symptoms starting.

Long-term outlook

The outlook for rabies is excellent if you get the vaccine quickly after a bite – it is nearly 100% effective at preventing the disease. Once symptoms appear, the chance of survival is extremely low. That is why it is so important to seek medical care immediately after any animal bite, even if you feel fine.

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