Rabies Vaccine: Benefits, Purpose & Dosage

Rabies is a deadly virus transmitted mainly through animal bites. Thus, animal lovers should always protect themselves with a rabies vaccine to prevent such a disorder. It is an immunising agent aiming to fight the rabies virus by producing antibodies. One of those rare kinds, this vaccine is suggested after exposure to the disease.

Willing to find out more about the rabies vaccine and its suitable dosage? Read till the end of this article!

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What Is Rabies?

If you are wondering what rabies is, it is a serious viral disease, which affects the central nervous system of mammals. It can ultimately cause diseases in the brain, leading to death. While it is commonly seen in animals, human beings can also be affected from bites of infected animals. Human rabies is uncommon in recent times. Animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes are familiar sources of this disease. Furthermore, unvaccinated dogs can cause significant human rabies. Wondering what are the symptoms of rabies? These usually start from being mild conditions, slowly resulting in serious health concerns.

General weakness and fatigue
Physical discomfort
Fever and/or headache
Delirium
Abnormal behaviour
Hallucinations
Hydrophobia
Insomnia

Thus, rabies disease can be a serious one for humans. The prevention of rabies rests on various factors. However, getting a rabies vaccine is probably the most uncomplicated treatment of rabies, both for infected humans and animals.

What Are the Benefits of Taking a Rabies Vaccine?

Now that you know what causes rabies, you must be curious to find out the benefits of a rabies vaccine. This vaccine can be given to animals infected by rabies or exposed to humans. The primary purpose is to create antibodies for fighting against the rabies virus. Therefore, even if an infected animal has bitten you, this vaccine can save you from the virus. In addition, if you vaccinate your pets in advance, they are less likely to develop this infection.

When to Take a Rabies Vaccine?

The anti-rabies vaccine is capable of protecting people from catching rabies. People in the following conditions will find it to be most beneficial to take this vaccine.

1. High-risk exposure

People exposed to the risks of rabies should take this vaccine. Professions such as veterinarians, rabies laboratory workers, animal handlers, spelunkers, and rabies biologics production workers are highly exposed to the risks. Therefore, people dealing with such professions should take the vaccine.

2. Travellers and animal lovers

People habituated to travelling frequently should take this vaccine. They are often exposed to infected animals in different parts of the world. Moreover, if you are a pet lover and deal with stray animals frequently, you should consider taking this vaccine.

3. Animal bite

If rabid animals bite you, you should take a rabies vaccine even if you do not see any symptoms.

Now, when it comes to the anti-rabies vaccine dosage for humans, it can be divided into two parts, as discussed below.

Rabies Pre Exposure Immunisation

This type of vaccine shot is an overall immunity booster to fight against the rabies vaccine. Adults should get three doses of this vaccine, and one dose is equal to 1 mL IM (deltoid region). For children and infants, the dosage will remain three, one dose equivalent to 1 mL IM (deltoid region, in the anterolateral part of the thigh). The schedule of the rabies vaccine should be as follows.

Second dose after seven days of the first one

Third dose after 21-28 days of the second one

The booster dose for adults and children is about 1 ml IM (deltoid region) for maintaining a serum titer > 1:5 serum dilution by RFFIT.

Rabies Post-exposure Immunisation

You can take this type of vaccine shot after an animal bite for the possibility of rabies infection. For adults, if they have not been immunised earlier, about five doses are standard, one of which is equal to 1 mL IM. It is also the same in the case of infants. Therefore, you can consider the following schedule for dosage.

Second dose after three days of the first one

Third dose after seven days of the second one

Fourth dose after 14 days the third one

Fifth dose after 28 days of the fourth one

However, if you are already immunised with the pre exposure vaccine, this schedule does not apply to you. You will need only two doses of the post exposure vaccine. Furthermore, you can take the second dose three days after the first one.

Who Should Avoid Taking the Rabies Vaccine?

Now that you know what rabies disease is, you must be curious to learn if anyone can take the vaccine to prevent it. While most people can usually take a rabies vaccine, health researchers suggest people avoid it in the following conditions.

People with severe allergies and allergic reactions to this medicine or other medicines.
If you consume alcohol or tobacco regularly, you should avoid doing it during vaccination.
People under other treatments or taking other medicines should consult the doctor before taking this vaccine.

What Are the Side Effects of Rabies Vaccine?

By now, you realise the risks of rabies diseases after knowing the symptoms of rabies. Thus, it is mandatory to take this vaccine for fighting against the rabies virus. The following list discusses some of the common side effects of rabies vaccine.

Slight soreness or redness in the injection site
Swelling or itching of the same skin
Headache and nausea
Abdominal pain
Muscle pain
Dizziness and fatigue
Fever and joint pain

These side effects are usually mild in nature, but might turn serious with time. Therefore, you should contact your physician immediately and take the necessary medicines to avoid further complications.

How to Prevent the Spread of Rabies?

The prevention of rabies in humans is an essential requirement for minimising health concerns. You can take the following measures to avoid a rabies infection.

Give a pre-exposure shot to your kids.
Keep your distance from stray and rabid animals.
Wash animal bites immediately with soap and water.
If you have pets, take them to the veterinarians and make sure to vaccinate them regularly.

Thus, as you can see, a rabies vaccine is essential for avoiding rabies infection in human beings. The virus spreads mainly through animal bites. You can take these vaccines as kids to strengthen the immune system against rabies or anytime immediately after an animal bite. Moreover, you can also give these to your pets to minimise their chances of infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How long does a rabies vaccine provide protection?

A rabies vaccine can protect you from the rabies virus for about six months to two years based on the type of vaccine received.

What is the cost of rabies vaccination?

Mostly, infants can receive the pre-exposure vaccine free of cost in government facilities. However, in private institutes, one dose might charge you about ₹ 350 - ₹ 400.