What is Rabies?

Rabies is a serious disease.  It is caused by a virus.

Rabies is mainly a disease of animals.  Humans get rabies when they are bitten by infected animals. At first there might not be any symptoms.  But weeks, or even years after a bite, rabies can cause pain, fatigue, headaches, fever, and irritability.  These are followed by seizures, hallucinations, and paralysis.  Rabies is almost always fatal. 

 Rabies vaccine can prevent rabies.

Who should get rabies vaccine and when?

Preventive Vaccination (No Exposure)

People at high risk of exposure to rabies, such as veterinarians, animal handlers, rabies laboratory workers, spelunkers, and rabies biologics production workers should be offered rabies vaccine.

 The vaccine should also be considered for:People whose activities bring them into frequent contact with rabies virus or with possibly rabid animals.

International travelers who are likely to come in contact with animals in parts of the world where rabies is common. 

The pre-exposure schedule for rabies vaccination is 3 doses, given at the following times:

                        Dose 1:  As appropriate

                        Dose 2:  7 days after Dose 1

                        Dose 3:  21 days or 28 days after Dose 1

For laboratory workers and others who may be repeatedly exposed to rabies virus, periodic testing for immunity is recommended, and booster doses should be given as needed.  (Testing or booster doses are not recommended for travelers.)  Ask your doctor for details.

 Vaccination After an Exposure

 Anyone who has been bitten by an animal, or who otherwise may have been exposed to rabies, should see a doctor immediately.

A person who is exposed and has never been vaccinated against rabies should get 5 doses of rabies vaccine - one dose right away, and additional doses on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 28th days.  They should also get a shot of Rabies Immune Globulin at the same time as the first dose.  This gives immediate protection.

A person who has been previously vaccinated should get 2 doses of rabies vaccine - one right away and another on the 3rd day.  Rabies Immune Globulin is not needed.

What are the risks from rabies vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions.  The risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. Serious problems from rabies vaccine are very rare.

 Mild problems:

• soreness, redness, swelling, or itching where the shot was given (30% - 74%)

• headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, dizziness (5% - 40%)

 Moderate problems:

• hives, pain in the joints, fever (about 6% of booster doses)

• illness resembling Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), with complete recovery (very rare)

 Other nervous system disorders have been reported after rabies vaccine, but this happens so rarely that it is not known whether they are related to the vaccine.