Table of contents

• What is rabies vaccine?
• Drug information of rabies vaccine
• Importance of rabies vaccine for humans
• How many times should rabies vaccine be injected? Is it possible?
• What happens if we don't get the rabies vaccine?
• Precautions and contraindications of the rabies vaccine
• What is the care after the rabies vaccine?
• Complications of the rabies vaccine
  • Common side effects
  • Rare
• Does the rabies vaccine interact with drugs?

  What is the rabies vaccine?

  Rabies and tetanus are two dangerous diseases that are caused by animal bites and scratches, and the only way to prevent it is by injecting a vaccine... To prevent rabies, you must inject a rabies vaccine... Rabies vaccine is a very vital and life-saving vaccine to create immunity against rabies... This disease is considered a dangerous viral infection that can be spread through direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal, such as licking an infected open wound or being bitten and scratched by Animals such as cats, dogs, foxes, bats and raccoons are transmitted to humans.

  When the clinical symptoms of rabies appear, there is no treatment for the disease and it leads to death, so preventing the disease and injecting the rabies vaccine is the only way to save it and becomes especially important..

  Rabies vaccine is divided into 2 categories, which include the following:

  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis: Recommended for people at high risk of exposure to the rabies virus.
  • Prophylaxis after contact: It is recommended for people who have been bitten by an animal suspected of rabies or have been in direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal.

  Drug information of rabies vaccine

  In the table below, you can learn more about the medicinal information of this vaccine:

  The importance of rabies vaccine for humans

  Rabies vaccine, like tetanus vaccine, is one of the most important human-made vaccines that protect human health against the rabies virus, which is usually always fatal.. This vaccine not only saves a person's life as an emergency measure after a suspected animal bite or contact, but also as a preventive measure, veterinarians, veterinary safety groups and veterinarians.. foresters.. do.

  A simple vaccine can save your life, so don't delay

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  This vaccine makes the body resistant to the virus by stimulating the immune system and prevents it from progressing to the brain and causing fatal symptoms.. For this reason, awareness of the importance of rabies vaccine for humans and access to this vaccine plays a fundamental role in maintaining the health of society.. Therefore, if you are injured by non-domestic animals, be sure to consult your general practitioner about receiving the appropriate dose of rabies vaccine.

  How many times should the rabies vaccine be injected?

  The number of times and time of rabies vaccine injection in humans depends on the individual's condition.

  1- High-risk groups before exposure

  For people who may be exposed to animal bites because of their job, 3 doses are usually injected:

  • First dose on day zero
  • Second dose seven days after the first dose
  • Third dose on days 21 to 28

  These people should inject a reminder dose every 3 to 5 years after measuring the antibody in the blood.

  2- After being bitten or scratched by a suspicious animal

  If the person has not been vaccinated before, he needs 4 doses of the vaccine:

  • The first dose on day zero (the same day as the incident)
  • Second dose on day 3
  • Third dose on day 7
  • Dose for four days 14

  If a person has already received the rabies vaccine, there is no need for 4 doses of the vaccine anymore and he only needs to inject 2 doses on day zero and day two.

  How to inject rabies vaccine

  The amount and method of using the rabies vaccine depends on the purpose of its injection... that is, it must be specified, this vaccine is supposed to be injected before contact with the virus or after a bite or direct contact with an infected animal. It needs a reminder dose once...

  In the post-contact rabies vaccination program, it is necessary to observe the following in order:

  • Immediate washing of the wound: The first and most important step is to wash the wound completely and deeply with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.... By doing this, a large part of the virus is mechanically destroyed.
  • Vaccine injection:Vaccination is done by the medical staff.... The injection program for people who have not received the rabies vaccine before, as described above, consists of 4 injections that are given on days zero, three, seven and fourteen.
  • Injection of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG):People who have not been vaccinated before should also inject immunoglobulin (prepared antibodies) in addition to the vaccine. This substance is injected on the first day in and around the wound to create immediate and temporary immunity.

  All cases of suspected rabies exposure should be treated immediately to prevent the onset of clinical symptoms and death.... Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) includes wound care, administration of rabies vaccines according to WHO recommendations, and administration of rabies immunoglobulin if needed.

  All suspected cases of rabies should be treated immediately to prevent clinical symptoms and death. Post-exposure prophylaxis includes wound treatment, rabies vaccine administration based on WHO recommendations, and rabies immunoglobulin administration if necessary.
  Quoted by the World Health Organization (WHO)

  Where is the rabies vaccine injected?

  This vaccine is usually injected intramuscularly.... The best injection site for adults is the deltoid muscle of the arm and for young children, the front of the thigh.

  What will happen if we do not vaccinate against rabies?

  If you do not vaccinate after being bitten or scratched by an animal suspected of rabies, the virus will gradually move through the peripheral nerves to the central nervous system, i.e. the brain and spinal cord, and cause symptoms of rabies. It progresses with symptoms such as hallucinations, convulsions, and muscle weakness>. Finally after falling He dies in a coma... For this reason, the World Health Organization recommends the immediate injection of post-exposure rabies vaccine and anti-rabies serum. Rabies vaccine contraindications

  This vaccine should be used with caution in some conditions and diseases and may be contraindicated in some cases:

  • History of allergic reaction to previous dose of vaccine or its components
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • High fever for the past few days
  Weakness of the immune system due to cancer or AIDS

  It should be noted that after the injection of the rabies vaccine, there is a possibility of headache and dizziness... therefore, avoid doing things that require full alertness, such as driving, for a few hours after the injection.

  How is the care after the rabies vaccine?

  Care after the rabies vaccine is very important because it makes the vaccine more effective and prevents possible complications... Care tips include the following:

  Public care

  • After the injection, some redness, pain or swelling at the injection site is normal and usually goes away after a few days.
  • Avoid massaging the injection site.
  • Keep the injection site dry and clean.
  • Get enough rest.
  • Drink enough fluids.

  Things to avoid

  • Avoid the use of immunosuppressant drugs during the injection of the vaccine.. unless directly prescribed by the doctor.
  • Avoid alcohol and smoking until the end of the vaccination period.
  Leave a few days between the rabies vaccine and other vaccines... unless the doctor deems it necessary to inject them at the same time.

Medical follow-up

• Avoid delaying the rabies vaccine and inject all doses of the vaccine at the scheduled time.
• In case of unusual symptoms such as high fever, allergic reaction (facial swelling, severe itching and shortness of breath) or severe physical weakness, see a doctor immediately.
• If your doctor has prescribed anti-rabies serum along with the vaccine, inject it according to the recommended instructions to ensure complete safety.

Complications of rabies vaccine

This vaccine may have a series of mild and temporary side effects like other immunosuppressive drugs.. The most important possible side effects are:

Common side effects

• Redness, swelling and pain at the injection site
• Slight fever
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Nausea
• fatigue and lethargy

Serious and rare side effects

The following symptoms are one of the dangerous side effects of the rabies vaccine and usually occur rarely... If you see any of them, take the patient to the emergency room immediately:

• Seizures
Shortness of breath and wheezing
• Severe skin rash with itching
Swelling of the face, tongue, lips and throat
• hallucinations and occurrence of abnormal behavior
• Severe depression and suicidal thoughts
• Neurological disorders such as Glenbar syndrome (in very rare cases)

What medicines does the rabies vaccine interact with?

Drug interaction can reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine or increase the possibility of side effects.. Therefore, before injecting the rabies vaccine, you should inform your doctor about chemical, herbal and even supplements.

Drugs that may reduce the body's immune response to the vaccine include:

• Chemotherapy drugs
• Corticosteroids
• Antimalarial drugs

If taking the above drugs, the doctor may change the rabies vaccination schedule or measure the antibody level in the patient's blood after the injection.

Guide to see a doctor

Rabies vaccine is the most effective way to save against one of the deadliest viral diseases in the world, namely rabies. Since rabies does not have an effective treatment after the symptoms appear, it is very important to inject the vaccine as a preventive measure or immediately after being bitten by a suspected animal. Observing the exact time of vaccination and preventing the injection of the vaccine in progress and saving a person's life.

We have discussed the rabies vaccine in detail in this article from GCORP LLC magazine. If you have more questions about this, you can visit the website of GCORP LLC and consult the best general practitioners or specialists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: who | medlineplus | Cleveland Clinic