Rabies: What You Need to Know About Treatment, Vaccines, and Immunoglobulin
If you’ve ever been bitten or scratched by a dog, cat, or even a wild animal, chances are the word “rabies” has crossed your mind.
And for good reason—rabies is a serious viral disease that affects the brain and nervous system. The scary part? Once symptoms show up,rabies is almost always fatal.
The good news? Rabies is 100% preventable if you act quickly. Let’s break down what rabies is, how it spreads, and what treatment looks like including the rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin (RIG).
How Does Rabies Spread?
Rabies spreads mainly through the saliva of infected animals. The most common ways people get exposed are:
- * Animal bites (dogs are the biggest source worldwide)
- * Scratches from infected animals
- * Saliva getting into open cuts or the eyes, nose, or mouth
That’s why even a small scratch from an animal should never be ignored.
Signs and Symptoms of Rabies
Rabies doesn’t appear right away—it can take weeks (sometimes months) before symptoms show. At first, it may look like the flu:
- * Fever
- * Tiredness
- * Headache
- Tingling or itching where the bite happened
But as the disease progresses, symptoms get much more severe:
- * Difficulty swallowing
- (sometimes called hydrophobia, or fear of water)
- * Anxiety, confusion, or aggression
- * Seizures and paralysis
- * Coma and eventually death
This is why early treatment is the only way to stop rabies before it’s too late.
What to Do Right After an Animal Bite
If you’ve been bitten or scratched, here’s what doctors recommend:
- * Wash the wound immediately scrub with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
- * Apply an antiseptic like iodine or alcohol.
- * Get medical help right away even if the wound looks minor.
Rabies Treatment: Vaccine and Immunoglobulin
Rabies treatment is called Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). It involves two main things:
1. Rabies Vaccine
* Given as a series of shots over a few weeks.
- * Teaches your immune system to fight the virus.
- * The schedule is usually: Day 0 (the day you start), Day 3, Day 7, Day 14, and Day 28.
If you’ve been vaccinated against rabies before, you only need two booster shots (Day 0 and Day 3)
.
2. Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG)
- * Recommended for serious bites (deep wounds, multiple bites, or bites near the face/neck).
- * Works like “instant protection” until your body builds its own immunity from the vaccine.
- * Given directly into the wound and nearby tissues.
There are two types:
- * Human Rabies Immunoglobulin (HRIG) – preferred, but more expensive.
- * Equine Rabies Immunoglobulin (ERIG) – effective and more widely used in many countries.
Can Rabies Be Prevented?
Absolutely! Prevention is always better than cure. Here’s how:
- * Vaccinate your pets on schedule.
- * Avoid touching stray or wild animals,
- (even if they look friendly)
- * Teach kids to be careful around animals.
- * Always treat animal bites as urgent and get medical care.
The Bottom Line
Rabies may sound terrifying, but the truth is: it’s completely preventable with quick action. If you or someone you know gets bitten or scratched by an animal:
* Wash the wound
* See a doctor immediately
* Get the rabies vaccine
(and immunoglobulin if needed)
It could literally save your life.
