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Took Tetanus Injection And Rabies Injection After Dog Bite. Got Fever. Any Risk?

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Posted on Tue, 14 May 2013
Question: my mother has been biteen by a dod we dont know whether the dog is infected or not. she on the same moment within 1 hr has taken tetanous injection and after 5 days she started rabies vaccine series injection. yesterday night she got fever and body pain today she had 2nd vaccine. so pls tell
doctor
Answered by Dr. Hema Yadav (2 hours later)
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Ideally rabies vaccine has to be taken within 72 hours of dog bite exposure to prevent rabies.
However if she has developed fever and pain only after the first dose ( and not on the 5 days post bite) then it is mostly a sideeffect of the vaccine . It will soon go away on its own or sometimes with mild analgesics like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
If the pain and fever worsen or persist after the second dose do consult your doctor to rule out any bacterial infection or need for antibiotics .
If the bite was superficial , dog is alive ( indicating non rabid dog) , and your mother has no further symptoms then the risk of rabies is unlikely .
If in doubt you can consult your doctor to get her blood tests done and if required she can be given anti rabies immunoglobulin for additional protection .
So as of now please don't worry as it is most probably a reaction to the vaccine which is self limiting . If it persists beyond three days get her re evaluated.
Hope that answers your query.
I'll be available for any follow up queries
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Hema Yadav (24 minutes later)
it is curable or not Dr.and our Dr where she went told to take medicines and after 3 days if so than they will do blood test. and what about the significance of tetanous injection she took on the same day within 1hr of dog bite kindly tell whether she will will be cured completely or not
doctor
Answered by Dr. Hema Yadav (10 minutes later)
Hello,
Thanks for the follow up.
Tetanus toxoid injection prevents against tetanus infection which she has appropriately taken . To prevent rabies infection rabipur vaccine has to be taken within 72 hours or 3 days after bite. In some cases if vaccine is delayed still 90% chances are that she will be protected . Rabies is best prevented than cured. Please do take all 5 vaccines and if her blood tests ( serum ig levels ) are done then your doctor might decide about the need to give immunoglobulins .
So please don't worry your mother should soon be fine if appropriate treatment is given.
If you are very anxious get her blood tests done promptly to relieve any doubts.
Hope that answers your query.
Wishing her a speedy recovery.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Hema Yadav

Pediatrician, Infectious Diseases

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 1528 Questions

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Took Tetanus Injection And Rabies Injection After Dog Bite. Got Fever. Any Risk?

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Ideally rabies vaccine has to be taken within 72 hours of dog bite exposure to prevent rabies.
However if she has developed fever and pain only after the first dose ( and not on the 5 days post bite) then it is mostly a sideeffect of the vaccine . It will soon go away on its own or sometimes with mild analgesics like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
If the pain and fever worsen or persist after the second dose do consult your doctor to rule out any bacterial infection or need for antibiotics .
If the bite was superficial , dog is alive ( indicating non rabid dog) , and your mother has no further symptoms then the risk of rabies is unlikely .
If in doubt you can consult your doctor to get her blood tests done and if required she can be given anti rabies immunoglobulin for additional protection .
So as of now please don't worry as it is most probably a reaction to the vaccine which is self limiting . If it persists beyond three days get her re evaluated.
Hope that answers your query.
I'll be available for any follow up queries
Regards