The human rabies vaccine is indicated for the prevention of rabies in children and adults and may be administered before and after exposure to the virus, which is transmitted through the bite of a dog or other infected animals.
Anger is a disease that affects the central nervous system, leading to inflammation of the brain and usually leads to death if the disease is not properly treated. This disease can be cured if the person seeks medical help as soon as they are bitten in order to clean and disinfect the wound, receive the vaccine, and if necessary, also take immunoglobulins.
What is it for
The anti-rabies vaccine is meant to prevent rabies in humans before or after exposure to the virus. Anger is an animal disease that can affect humans, and causes inflammation of the brain, which usually leads the person to death. Learn how to identify human rage.
The vaccine acts by stimulating the body to produce its own protection against the disease and can be used to prevent rabies before exposure, suitable for people at risk of frequent contamination, such as veterinarians or persons working in the laboratory with the virus, for example, as well as in the prevention after suspected or confirmed exposure to the virus, transmitted by bites or scratches of infected animals.
When to take the vaccine
This vaccine can be taken before or after exposure to the virus:
Prevention vaccination:
This vaccination is indicated for the prevention of rabies prior to exposure to the virus and should be given to persons who are at high risk of contamination or who are at permanent risk, such as:
- Persons working in laboratory for diagnosis, research or production of rabies virus;
- Veterinarians and assistants;
- Animal handlers;
- Hunters and forestry workers;
- Farmers;
- Professionals who prepare animals for exhibition;
- Professionals who study natural cavities, such as caves.
In addition, people traveling to high-risk places should also take this vaccine.
Vaccination after exposure to virus:
Post-exposure vaccination should be started immediately at the lowest risk of rabies virus contamination under medical supervision at a specialized anti-rabies center. In addition, it is very important to take local wound treatment, and if necessary, take immunoglobulins.
How many doses to take
The vaccine is administered by a health care provider intramuscularly and the vaccination schedule must be adapted according to the person's anti-rabies immune status.
In the case of pre-exposure, the vaccination schedule consists of 3 doses of the vaccine, in which the second dose should be administered 7 days after the first dose, and the last 3 weeks thereafter. In addition, a booster is required every 6 months for people who handle live rabies virus, and every 12 months for people at continual risk of exposure. For people not exposed to risk, reinforcement is done 12 months after the first dose, and then every 3 years.
In post-exposure treatment, the dosage depends on the person's immunization, so for those who are fully immunized, the dosage is as follows:
- Vaccination under 1 year: administer 1 injection after bite;
- Vaccination with more than 1 year and less than 3 years: administer 3 injections, 1 immediately after the bite, another on the 3rd day and the 7th day;
- Vaccination over 3 years or incomplete: administer 5 doses of the vaccine, 1 immediately after the bite, and the following at the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 30th days.
In non-immunized persons 5 doses of the vaccine should be administered, one on the day of bite, and the next on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 30th days. In addition, if the lesion is severe, antirabies immunoglobulins should be given along with the 1st dose of the vaccine.
Possible side effects
Although rare, adverse effects such as pain at the site of application, fever, malaise, pain in muscles and joints, swollen lymph nodes, redness, itching, bruising, tiredness, flu-like symptoms, headache, dizziness, drowsiness may occur., chills, abdominal pain and feeling sick.
Serious allergic reactions, acute inflammation of the brain, seizures, sudden hearing loss, diarrhea, urticaria, shortness of breath, and vomiting may occur less frequently.
Who should not use this medicine
In cases where a pre-exposure vaccination is desired, it is not advisable to do so in pregnant women, or in people who have a fever or an acute illness, and the vaccination should be delayed. In addition, it should also not be used in people with known allergies to any of the components of the vaccine.
In cases where there has already been exposure to the virus, there is no contraindication, since the evolution of rabies virus infection, if left untreated, usually leads to death.
