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Question: Hello doctor
I had a dog bite in September 2014. I got full vaccination for it (5). After that I went for rabies antibody titre test. In December 2014, I got the test report that the antibody titer in my body was 4.0 which was satisfactory. I had no vaccination in 2015. I work at a place where there are many street dogs and there is higher chance to be affected. Should I have a regular vaccination in every year ? At how many months gap I should have a vaccination. Please guide me.
I had a dog bite in September 2014. I got full vaccination for it (5). After that I went for rabies antibody titre test. In December 2014, I got the test report that the antibody titer in my body was 4.0 which was satisfactory. I had no vaccination in 2015. I work at a place where there are many street dogs and there is higher chance to be affected. Should I have a regular vaccination in every year ? At how many months gap I should have a vaccination. Please guide me.
Brief Answer:
Usually vaccination is once in 5 years for people living in area with dogs
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. In my opinion, regular vaccination is not required for you. It is meant for people who work with animals like in the zoo. Your antibody level of 4.0 is good and the vaccination has worked for you. This will usually be above minimum value of 0.5 IU/ ml for about 5 years.
2. If you want to take precaution then you can measure your antibody level again and if less than 0.5 IU/ ml then take pre exposure prophylaxis which consists of three doses of vaccine given on days 0, 7, and 21 or 28. In case of a dog bite you will have to take two booster doses.
3. If your antibody level is above 0.5 IU/ ml then there is no vaccination required and you can take 2 booster when any dog bites you.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Usually vaccination is once in 5 years for people living in area with dogs
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. In my opinion, regular vaccination is not required for you. It is meant for people who work with animals like in the zoo. Your antibody level of 4.0 is good and the vaccination has worked for you. This will usually be above minimum value of 0.5 IU/ ml for about 5 years.
2. If you want to take precaution then you can measure your antibody level again and if less than 0.5 IU/ ml then take pre exposure prophylaxis which consists of three doses of vaccine given on days 0, 7, and 21 or 28. In case of a dog bite you will have to take two booster doses.
3. If your antibody level is above 0.5 IU/ ml then there is no vaccination required and you can take 2 booster when any dog bites you.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
If you tolerated the vaccine earlier then no risk of harm
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. It is a vaccine which will help produce antibodies and therefore there is no serious side effect. However there are international guidelines on vaccination like 5 dose schedule after getting bitten by a dog. Booster dose will not cause any harm.
2. Any vaccine or medicine will have side effects in some people. These can be allergy, swelling redness in injection site and pain. If you have tolerated earlier vaccination then there is no risk of side effects.
3. Rabipur and Abhayrab are both good vaccines and you should take the one you have taken before. Changing vaccine will not cause any harm however it should be avoided.
4. Taking one vaccine will not be harmful. However the vaccine is required if your antibody level is below 0.5 IU/ ml. If your antibody level is above this then taking the vaccine is not required.
5. However if you want take another vaccine and last time you took it in 2014 then there is no risk in taking another dose for booster effect.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
If you tolerated the vaccine earlier then no risk of harm
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. It is a vaccine which will help produce antibodies and therefore there is no serious side effect. However there are international guidelines on vaccination like 5 dose schedule after getting bitten by a dog. Booster dose will not cause any harm.
2. Any vaccine or medicine will have side effects in some people. These can be allergy, swelling redness in injection site and pain. If you have tolerated earlier vaccination then there is no risk of side effects.
3. Rabipur and Abhayrab are both good vaccines and you should take the one you have taken before. Changing vaccine will not cause any harm however it should be avoided.
4. Taking one vaccine will not be harmful. However the vaccine is required if your antibody level is below 0.5 IU/ ml. If your antibody level is above this then taking the vaccine is not required.
5. However if you want take another vaccine and last time you took it in 2014 then there is no risk in taking another dose for booster effect.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Doctor
Plz help md more
As I have told you that I had full vaccination in 2014 and the antibody titre level in my body was 4.0. But three days back a street dog scratched in my leg. Should I have to take vaccination ? If yes then what is the dose ? Also will it be overdose and cause any harm for me ? Kindly suggest me.
Plz help md more
As I have told you that I had full vaccination in 2014 and the antibody titre level in my body was 4.0. But three days back a street dog scratched in my leg. Should I have to take vaccination ? If yes then what is the dose ? Also will it be overdose and cause any harm for me ? Kindly suggest me.
Brief Answer:
Take 2 doses totally (one dose today and another after three days)
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Rules are in place for those who are immunized and have second dog bite and it says "For rabies-exposed patients who have previously undergone complete pre-exposure vaccination or post-exposure treatment with cell-derived rabies vaccines, two intramuscular or intradermal doses of a cell-derived vaccine separated by three days are sufficient."
2. Therefore you can take one dose vaccine like rabipur today and after 3 day and dose is one injection for an adult.
3. There is no risk of overdose and it is harmless for you.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Take 2 doses totally (one dose today and another after three days)
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Rules are in place for those who are immunized and have second dog bite and it says "For rabies-exposed patients who have previously undergone complete pre-exposure vaccination or post-exposure treatment with cell-derived rabies vaccines, two intramuscular or intradermal doses of a cell-derived vaccine separated by three days are sufficient."
2. Therefore you can take one dose vaccine like rabipur today and after 3 day and dose is one injection for an adult.
3. There is no risk of overdose and it is harmless for you.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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