Critical information on Rabies and Tetanus vaccinations
The simple fact is Rabies and Tetanus have NO CURES, have 100% human fatality after symptoms appear and both lead to excruciatingly painful deaths. Rabies and Tetanus can only be prevented.
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Rabies is transferred from the saliva of the infected dog. Any bites that draw blood need to addressed immediately. Rabies vaccines are painless shot that is given in the arm, not in your abdomen like in old times.
- Tetanus develops through wound contamination and often involves a cut or puncture wound. It takes only one shot within 24 hrs of a wound and the immunity stays for 6 months. So please don’t miss your shot.
Prevention of rabies
Remember the old wives tale – ‘the dog bit me but we’re going to watch it for 10 days and if it dies I’ll get my vaccinations’! It doesn’t work. You need to get your first vaccination the first day (within 24hrs) of exposure – called day ’0′.
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Well if the dog dies – then you’re dead because you needed to get your first one at the day of exposure – called day ’0′.
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If the dog did not die – well he could still be carrying rabies – the dog would show symptoms if it was in terminal stage and was known to be a ‘rabid’ dog.
Anti-rabies vaccination table
Follow this vaccination protocol or talk to your doctor immediately:
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What you’ll need |
What the dog needs |
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You’ve never had anti-rabies shots |
You had a full course of 5 anti-rabies shots after exposure previously |
You’ve had 3 preventive anti-rabies shots |
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You’ve (a) pet dog(s) that have had anti-rabies every year without fail, and have/ has never bitten you |
RECOMMENDED you take a full ‘pre-exposure’ anti-rabies vaccination course |
NA |
NA |
Yearly booster anti-rabies shots, without fail |
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You have a pet dog that has missed or not had anti-rabies shots, but has never bitten you |
RECOMMENDED you take a full ‘pre-exposure’ anti-rabies vaccination course |
NA |
NA |
Get it vaccinated IMMEDIATELY and get him/her yearly booster anti-rabies shots, without fail |
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You rescue stray dogs but none have bitten you |
Take a full ‘pre-exposure’ anti-rabies vaccination course IMMEDIATELY |
NA |
NA |
If you can, keep the dogs vaccinated |
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You rescue stray dogs, and one has bitten you |
Take a full ‘post-exposure‘ anti-rabies vaccination course IMMEDIATELY |
Take 1 booster dose |
Take a full ‘pre-exposure’ anti-rabies vaccination course IMMEDIATELY |
If you can, keep the dogs vaccinated |
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An unknown dog has bitten you |
Take a full ‘post-exposure‘ anti-rabies vaccination course IMMEDIATELY |
Take 1 booster dose |
Take a full ‘pre-exposure’ anti-rabies vaccination course IMMEDIATELY |
If you can, keep the dogs vaccinated |
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An unknown dog has bitten you very severely* |
Take an IMMUNOGLOBIN course IMMEDIATELY, followed by a post-exposure rabies vaccination course |
Take an IMMUNOGLOBIN course IMMEDIATELY, followed by a post-exposure rabies vaccination course |
Take an IMMUNOGLOBIN course IMMEDIATELY, followed by a post-exposure rabies vaccination course |
Keep the dog under observation if possible |
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A dog showing symptoms of rabies has bitten you |
Take an IMMUNOGLOBIN course IMMEDIATELY, followed by a post-exposure rabies vaccination course |
NA |
NA |
Keep the dog under observation if possible |
*A deep bite or repeated attack by a dog that has caused severe tissue damage. In such a case a rabies immunoglobin needs to be administered at the site of the bite immediately (Day 0) and repeated on Day 3
Pre-exposure anti-rabies vaccination (3 doses)
- 1st anti-rabies shot to be taken within 24hrs of exposure (Day 0)
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2nd anti-rabies shot to be taken on Day 3
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3rd anti-rabies shot to be taken on Day 7
Post-exposure anti-rabies vaccination (5 doses)
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1st anti-rabies shot to be taken within 24 hrs of exposure (Day 0)
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2nd anti-rabies shot to be taken on Day 3
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3rd anti-rabies shot to be taken on Day 7
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4th anti-rabies shot to be taken on Day 14
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5th anti-rabies shot to be taken on Day 21 or 28
Administering anti-rabies Immunoglobin
Anti-rabies immunoglobin needs to be administered at the site of the bite immediately (Day 0) and repeated on Day 3 in case of a deep bite or repeated attack by a dog that has caused severe tissue damage or if the dog was showing symptoms of rabies.
Related Reading
- How common is rabies in India?
