Rabies Vaccine
Although rare, rabies is a very serious infection that’s typically caught from a bite or scratch of an infected animal. Once symptoms appear, it’s almost always fatal, but vaccination and early treatment can prevent it.
What Is Rabies?
Rabies is very rare in the UK but it is found elsewhere in the world, including Asia, Arica and Central and South America. It’s spread by mammals such as foxes, raccoons, bats and dogs, while in the UK it’s only found in some species of bat.
You can contract rabies if an infected animal licks your mouth, nose or eyes, or if you have an open wound that’s licked by an infected animal. You can also contract the infection if you are scratched or bitten by an infected animal.
If you’re travelling overseas, you can reduce the risk of infection by getting vaccinated, washing any bites or scratches with soap and water, and seeking medical advice immediately.
After infection, it usually takes between three and 12 weeks for symptoms to appear. However, note that they can appear after just a couple of days, or it can take months or even years for symptoms to manifest.
Symptoms include:
- Feeling very anxious or energetic
- Hallucinations
- Numbness or tingling at the bite or scratch site
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Paralysis
Note that once symptoms manifest themselves, rabies is almost always fatal.
How Can Rabies Be Treated?
If you have been bitten or scratched by an infected animal and a medical professional has confirmed that you do have rabies, you can be treated for the infection.
Treatment typically involves at least two doses of the rabies vaccine and/or a medicine called rabies immunoglobulin, a liquid that is administered into the wound or via injection. This is only necessary if you’re immunocompromised or if you’ve not had the vaccine.
Is There A Rabies Vaccine?
At Enimed Group, our pharmacies provide a range of different vaccinations, including the rabies vaccine.
Our specialist travel pharmacists can administer the appropriate treatments to both children (from birth) and adults alike, as well as providing a walk-in clinic service and up-to-date travel health advice for your chosen destinations.
The rabies vaccine is given as an injection, typically with three doses administered over the course of 23 days. If there is insufficient time for this, the doses can be given over 21 days or even seven days in some cases.
The majority of travellers won’t need to have a booster dose, but a one-off booster may be advisable if you’re travelling to an at-risk area and it’s been over 12 months since your first vaccination.