Today, While Returning From The Office, I Was Bitten By

Posted on Thu, 27 Sep 2018

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

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 Answered on

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Question : Today, while returning from the office, I was bitten by a stray dog. Now, I have two queries and they are as follows:

1) In December 2017, I had taken the complete five doses of anti-rabies vaccine (Vaxirab-N) along with a shot of tetanus. Now, do I have to take the tetanus shot again?

2) Should I take the full dosage of anti-rabies vaccine or only two (on 0 and 3 days) as recommended by WHO?

3) WHO says that if a person has been administered the complete dosage of anti-rabies vaccine, he need not be administered Rabies Inmunoglobin (Equirab). Please guide.

Please suggest.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Answers below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Here are the answers to your specific query.

1. You need not have tetanus shots now if you've had all vaccines regularly. Else it is necessary to start secondary protocol.

2. Effects of previous rabies vaccines start to wean by 6 months. Therefore in the circumstance 2 rabies shots are necessary.

3. Yes, there is no need for rabies immunoglobulin.

Hope I have answered your questions satisfactorily. If you have any clarifications, let me know.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (4 minutes later)

Thanks for your answer. In the first paragraph, you have mentioned something about protocol. What does it mean? Do I have to take tetanus shot or not?

Please suggest.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (36 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Second tetanus shot...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Apologies for the late reply. Let me brief you.

Tetanus vaccination is given from birth to 5 years of age through immunization schedule. Through this schedule body builds immunity towards tetanus infection. If you have received all immunization through childhood, the last tetanus shot in December should be able to prevent tetanus infection. If you haven't received vaccination in your childhood, then it is better to receive a tetanus again this time around as a part of prevention.

In a nutshell, it is better to take tetanus shot again now if you have not been vaccinated in your childhood.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar