How are rabies injections given after a dog bite?
Rabies is a fatal disease, but if you receive proper vaccination after a bite, you can be fully protected.
To understand rabies vaccination, continue reading.
After an animal bite, first aid is essential. Then, if the animal is rabid, the virus can reach the nervous system within weeks and eventually cause death.
The purpose of the rabies vaccine is to prevent the virus from reaching the nervous system by stimulating immunity quickly.
Types of rabies vaccines
There are two types of rabies-related injections:
- Local (wound site) injection:
This is injected around the bite wound to destroy the virus at the entry site. - Rabies vaccine series:
This usually consists of four doses. The first dose is given on the day of the bite. The remaining doses are given on day 3, day 7, and day 30.
Multiple doses are necessary because the virus may remain in the body for up to two years. These repeated vaccines help build strong immunity and prevent the virus from reaching the nervous system.
Whether you receive both types of injections or only the vaccine series depends on:
- The severity of the wound
- Whether the dog was vaccinated
- Whether you have received rabies vaccination before
- Whether the animal remains healthy for 14 days or shows signs of illness or death
The doctor decides the treatment based on these factors.
If multiple doses are prescribed, you will be given a vaccination schedule card. You must attend all appointments. You can receive follow-up doses at any hospital providing rabies vaccines.
Additionally, tetanus vaccination is also given, as animal bites can cause tetanus infection.