Am I Safe After 2 Months Of ARV Shots?

Posted on Mon, 17 Aug 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 Answered on

2 days ago Last reviewed on

Question : Sir a bat fell into my body while I was cleaning an old building. I didn't feel any bite injury and not seen any visible bite or scratches. But one day later a tiny bruise was seen on my finger and not sure if it was happened by the exposure with bat. I had already completed an anti rabies vaccination (4 dose) due to a dog scratch injury 2 months before (completed on 4th). I had consulted with my community health centre doctor and he said no further shots were needed because I had already taken shots and only 2 months are passed. Sir I'm really worried. Am I safe after 2 months of ARV shots? Do I need any further shots? Do bats in are prone to rabies? Please advise me.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
as per WHO guidelines, no intervention is needed in your case.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor services.
I have read your query and here is my advise.

* As per my clinical experience, you are safe at 2 months period of ARV
shots and do not need any intervention at present with following
explanations.

1. As there is history of cleaning the building, there are all high chances of
minor scratch, which may have gone unnoticed at that time and became
evident next day.

2. You did not feel any bite injury or seen scratch at that moment.

3. The WHO recommendations says that you do not need at ARV dose within
3 months of completion of 4 doses of ARV .

4. The bats in XXXXXXX are not common cause of spreading rabies as in other
countries.

5. Even if there is rabid dog bite after ARV dosing, no further dose is
recommended within 3 months of complete vaccination schedule as there
is enough amount of circulating antibodies in the blood present and it is
the period beyond 3 months when 2 doses of ARV is recommended.

6. Number 5 does not apply to unnoticed bite or suspicious case of bruise.

7. Your primary care provider at community health centre has completely
counselled you in best authentic facts as per the standard international
guidelines of care.

* In summary, you have to relax and do not worry so far as the rabies is
concerned in your case at this stage even if one considers that to be of
sure bat bite.

Have a great day.
Let me know if you have any further doubts.

Take care.
Regards.
Dr Bhagyesh ( MS Consultant Surgeon )

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (25 hours later)

Thank you sir for your valuable advice. Sir I have one more query. Sir I'm leaving in an area which is endemic to Dengue fever. Do dengue affect asymptomatically? Do Dengue any other kind of asymptomatic fevers will affect the efficacy of ARV vaccination? So far I don't have any common symptoms of any kind of fevers.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome for the follow up.

* Dengue fever does not remain silent without symptoms, which include
severe body ache, high grade on and off fever, abdomen pain, nausea,
vomiting, loss of appetite and other features.

* The Dengue fever has no effect over the efficacy of ARV vaccine, which
has already established antibodies in your blood circulation.

Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad