Rabies vaccine how does it work

So the benefits of the rabies vaccine clearly outweigh the risks of the vaccine. Rabies vaccines in Vaccines, 7th Edition, , Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available.

The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy. You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional.

For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.

Contact Us Online. Once someone has been exposed, their dosing will vary depending upon their vaccination history: For those who have been exposed to rabies without previous vaccination, the vaccine is given shortly after exposure to prevent the progressive, invariably fatal disease, rabies. In these situations, a total of four shots are given in the shoulder muscle. The first shot is given immediately after exposure to a rabid animal, then again three days later, seven days later, and 14 days later.

The person should also receive another shot called rabies immune globulin RIG. For those who have been exposed to rabies, but who were previously vaccinated with rabies vaccine, two shots should be given in the shoulder muscle. The first shot should be given immediately after exposure. A second shot should be given three days later. These people do not need to get RIG. The face of rabies Edgar Allen Poe died from rabies, which has terrified mankind ever since it became obvious that the bite of a rabid animal led to an inevitable and horrible death.

The disease What is rabies? How do you catch rabies? But generally, in the United States, the following guidelines can serve as a good rule of thumb: Rabies vaccine is not needed: If the animal for example, dog or cat lives in or has been hanging around the neighborhood, it can be observed for 10 days to see if it behaves normally.

If, after 10 days, the animal does not show any signs of rabies, then no treatment is needed. Also, animals immunized with the rabies vaccine are unlikely to transmit rabies — all the more reason to make sure that your animals are immunized with rabies vaccine. Rabies vaccine is needed: If no one knows the animal and it cannot be observed, or in countries where rabid animals are prevalent, treatment should begin immediately.

If, within the 10 days of observation, the animal shows any signs of rabies such as bizarre or unusual behavior , then treatment should begin immediately. How do you treat someone who is bitten by a potentially rabid animal? Treatment of people bitten by an animal that might be rabid should include the following: Wash the wound carefully with soap and water. RIG should be injected in and around the wound to prevent attachment of rabies virus to the nervous system.

If you have a weakened immune system or are taking chloroquine, you will get a 5th dose of the vaccine 28 days after the 1st dose. For those with a weakened immune system, you need a blood test 7 to 14 days after the 5th dose of vaccine to determine that you are protected.

If the blood test indicates that you are not protected you will need a second series of vaccine. If you completed a rabies vaccine series before being exposed to the rabies virus you should get 2 doses of the vaccine. These doses are given 3 days apart. The rabies vaccine can also be given to prevent rabies before exposure to the rabies virus.

The vaccine is recommended, but not provided free, for those at risk of being exposed to the rabies virus, including:. The vaccine is given as a series of 3 doses. The 2nd dose is given 7 days after the 1st dose. The 3rd dose is given 21 to 28 days after the 1st dose. RabIg and rabies vaccine prevent rabies disease, which is almost always fatal. RabIg provides immediate, short-term protection against infection with the rabies virus.

The rabies vaccine provides long lasting protection against infection. Common reactions to RabIg may include soreness and stiffness of local muscles where the immunization was given. Fever, skin reactions and allergic reactions hives or swelling may also occur. Some immune globulins may be associated with a risk of thrombosis blood clots within 24 hours of receiving them, especially when large volumes are given. The risk of thrombosis is increased in those:. Common reactions to rabies vaccine may include soreness, redness, swelling and itching where the vaccine was given.

Headache, fever, muscle or joint soreness, nausea, dizziness and fatigue may also occur. It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any immunization because there is a rare possibility, less than 1 in a million, of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.

This may include hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips. Should this reaction occur, your health care provider is prepared to treat it. Emergency treatment includes administration of epinephrine adrenaline and transfer by ambulance to the nearest emergency department.

If symptoms develop after you leave the clinic, call or the local emergency number. Anyone who has been exposed to the rabies virus who has not received an approved rabies vaccine series should get RabIg and rabies vaccine.

This is called pre-exposure prophylaxis. Rabies infection is a serious, and often fatal, infection. In the U. In Canada, the animals most often infected with rabies are foxes, skunks, bats, dogs, and cats. Horses, swine, and cattle also have been known to become infected with rabies. In much of the rest of the world, including Latin America, Africa, and Asia, dogs account for most cases of rabies passed on to humans. If you are being or will be treated for a possible rabies infection while traveling outside of the U.

This vaccine is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor or other health care professional. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.

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