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Suggest Dosage Of Vaxirab After Exposure To The Virus
Posted on
Fri, 27 Mar 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 27 Mar 2015
Answered on
Mon, 13 Apr 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : My son is in XXXXXXX and has an infected scratch wound on his leg, for which he is now receiving antibiotics and an antibiotic cream. A dog ran between his legs, my son is not sure if the dog licked him but decided not to take any chances and went to a doctor for vaxirab - he got the first dose 20 hours after the encounter with the dog - is that early enough? He read on the info in the vaxirab container that he should also have received immunoglobin, but right away. The doctor told him he doesn't need it - is that correct? My son moves around, he is a tourist in XXXXXXX and wants to know if the subsequent doses of the vaxirab must be taken on the exact dates, or is a day before or after also Ok - thank you!
Brief Answer:
The immunoglobin is part of post-exposure prophylaxis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
the immunoglobulin is required after exposure to rabies, although I would not consider this incident as suspicious. The immunoglobulin should be injected both in the wound and intramuscularly in a different site than the vaccine.
Regarding the timing of vaccination, he should do them on time. If he can't then he shouldn't do them before the required time. He can do them one day later, but he has to add this day to the scheduled doses after the late one. Let me explain that: the normal schedule requires vaccination on day 0,3,7 and 14. If gets vaccinated on day 0 and day 4 then he should be vaccinated again in day 8 and 15.
Regarding the 20 hour delay: when it comes to post-exposure prophylaxis the sooner is the better but I can't give you scientifically accurate data about a 20 hour delay.
I hope it's clear!
You can ask for clarifications, if you'd like, using your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
The immunoglobin is part of post-exposure prophylaxis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
the immunoglobulin is required after exposure to rabies, although I would not consider this incident as suspicious. The immunoglobulin should be injected both in the wound and intramuscularly in a different site than the vaccine.
Regarding the timing of vaccination, he should do them on time. If he can't then he shouldn't do them before the required time. He can do them one day later, but he has to add this day to the scheduled doses after the late one. Let me explain that: the normal schedule requires vaccination on day 0,3,7 and 14. If gets vaccinated on day 0 and day 4 then he should be vaccinated again in day 8 and 15.
Regarding the 20 hour delay: when it comes to post-exposure prophylaxis the sooner is the better but I can't give you scientifically accurate data about a 20 hour delay.
I hope it's clear!
You can ask for clarifications, if you'd like, using your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Regarding the immunoglobin: Is there a time frame? Can my son get the immunoglobin now, some 24 hours after the _possible_ event?
Thank you
Thank you
Brief Answer:
The sooner the better - before symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I can only tell you that if symptoms had initiated, there could be no benefit from immunoglobulin. Obviously an almost immediate response is supposed to work better than late treatment but if there is suspicion of rabies, immunoglobulin administration would be recommended even now.
The type of incident is rather unlikely to cause rabies because no biting or salivary secretions on an open wound were involved, if I understood your description well enough.
Kind Regards!
The sooner the better - before symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I can only tell you that if symptoms had initiated, there could be no benefit from immunoglobulin. Obviously an almost immediate response is supposed to work better than late treatment but if there is suspicion of rabies, immunoglobulin administration would be recommended even now.
The type of incident is rather unlikely to cause rabies because no biting or salivary secretions on an open wound were involved, if I understood your description well enough.
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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