What is Rabies
How to prevent Rabies
Who should get a Rabies vaccine
When to get a Rabies vaccine
 What is Rabies
Rabies is a serious disease. It is caused by a virus. Rabies is mainly a disease of animals. Humans get
rabies when they are bitten by infected animals. At first there might not be any symptoms. But weeks,
or even years after a bite, rabies can cause pain, fatigue, headaches, fever and irritability. These are
followed by seizures, hallucinations and paralysis. Rabies is almost always fatal.
Wild animals, especially bats, are the most common source of human rabies infection in the United States.
Skunks, raccoons, dogs and cats can also transmit the disease. Human rabies is rare in the United States.
There have been only 39 cases diagnosed since 1990. However, between 16,000 and 39,000 people are treated
each year for possible exposure to rabies after animal bites. Also, rabies is far more common in other parts
of the world, with about 40,000 - 70,000 rabies-related deaths each year. Bites from unvaccinated dogs cause
most of these cases.
How to prevent Rabies
Rabies vaccine can prevent rabies.
Rabies vaccine is given to people at high risk of rabies to protect them if they are exposed. It can also
prevent the disease if it is given to a person after they have been exposed.
Rabies vaccine is made from killed rabies virus. It cannot cause rabies.
Who should get a Rabies vaccine
Preventive Vaccination (No Exposure)
People at high risk of exposure to rabies, such as veterinarians, animal handlers, rabies laboratory
workers, spelunkers and rabies biologics production workers should be offered rabies vaccine.
The vaccine should also be considered for:
- People whose activities bring them into frequent contact with rabies virus or with possibly rabid animals
- International travelers who are likely to come in contact with animals in parts of the world where
rabies is common
For laboratory workers and others who may be repeatedly exposed to rabies virus, periodic testing for immunity
is recommended and booster doses should be given as needed.
Vaccination After Exposure
Anyone who has been bitten by an animal, or who otherwise may have been exposed to rabies, should see
a doctor immediately.
When to get a Rabies vaccine
Preventive Vaccination (No Exposure)
The pre-exposure schedule for rabies vaccination is 3 doses, given at the following times:
- Dose 1: As appropriate
- Dose 2: 7 days after Dose 1
- Dose 3: 21 days or 28 days after Dose 1
A second dose is recommended for those people aged 65 and older who got their first dose when they were
under 65, if 5 or more years have passed since that dose.
Vaccination After Exposure
A person who is exposed and has never been vaccinated against rabies should get 5 doses of rabies
vaccine - one dose right away, and additional doses on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 28th days. They should
also get a shot of Rabies Immune Globulin, which is extremely scarce, at the same time as the first dose.
This gives immediate protection.
Subsequesntly, a person who has been previously been vaccinated should get 2 doses of rabies vaccine - one right away and
another on the 3rd day.
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