According to the statistics of the World Health Organization, 55 thousand people die from this infection every year in the world. In Russia, according to the Scientific Center for Expertise of Medicinal Products, 74 people died from rabies between 2008 and 2015. It would seem that many times more people die from the flu. But the problem is that rabies in humans is an absolutely fatal disease.
If a person was bitten by an animal with rabies, or if his saliva containing the virus somehow got on the mucous membranes or damaged skin, then death is inevitable if the disease develops. Throughout history, only one single case of a patient being cured after the onset of symptoms of the disease has been described in the literature.
From sick hedgehogs to pets
Experts believe that our population, although theoretically aware of such a disease and how it is transmitted, in practice often comes to the hospital too late after being bitten by suspicious animals. In the middle lane and the Moscow region, sick foxes and hedgehogs, which have increased in the forests in recent years, are the most common source of rabies. Such animals either bite a person themselves (often they are unlucky mushroom pickers), or infect pets or stray dogs.
Doctors do not even advise, but shout out loud: if you are bitten by any animal and you do not know if it is vaccinated against rabies, IMMEDIATELY after the bite, you need to wash the wound with running warm water and soap, treat the edges of the wound with 70% alcohol and immediately rush to doctor!
Keep track of your pet
Rabies is one of the few diseases that cannot be cured at all. If the first symptoms appear, death will occur in a maximum of 20 days. No options.
How does infection occur and how to recognize the symptoms of rabies in humans?
Domestic cats and dogs are usually infected by hedgehogs, foxes, wolves or stray animals. 70% of infections happen during trips out of town. The rabies virus is transmitted to people through the saliva of a sick animal - when bitten or when saliva gets on the skin, if there were abrasions on it.
During the incubation period of the disease (from a week to 7 weeks), the animal may appear healthy. And this is especially dangerous because the virus is already in the saliva and the bite is already contagious.
The rabies virus affects the central nervous system in humans and animals. First, aggressiveness rises, the animal becomes angry and restless. After a couple of days, characteristic signs are added - rabies, wool sticks together, saliva flows from the mouth. The death of an animal infected with rabies is inevitable. Human, however, too. That is why recognizing the symptoms of rabies in humans, strictly speaking, has no prospects from a medical point of view: if the disease has begun, then no treatment will help.
What to do?
The only salvation is to get vaccinated as soon as possible after the bite - to do the so-called anti-rabies vaccination (this is a complex of several injections performed at a certain time interval). Sometimes vaccination is supplemented by the introduction of immunoglobulins at the site of an animal bite.
It is necessary to vaccinate against rabies when bitten by any cat or dog - even a domestic one, even a stray, if you are not sure that the animal is vaccinated and definitely healthy.
There are countries where there are no cases of rabies infection (both animals and humans) at all. These are the UK, Cyprus, Japan and Australia. Experts believe that the disease does not occur in these countries due to the strictest quarantine measures. Also, over the past 30 years, cases of rabies have not been recorded in the Scandinavian countries, as well as in the countries of Southern Europe - Portugal and Spain.
In Russia, the most disadvantaged areas for rabies, according to data for 2015, were Tatarstan, Moscow and Lipetsk regions. In the Penza, Ryazan and Saratov regions, the situation is slightly better, Chuvashia, Orenburg, Tula and Tambov regions and the Altai Territory are even more prosperous. The least cases of infection were registered in 2015 in Moscow, the Ivanovo and Sverdlovsk regions, in the Komi Republic and the Trans-Baikal Territory.
What is the difference between a vaccine and immunoglobulin and how quickly you need to get vaccinated
If a person has been bitten by a dog, cat or other animal about which there is no evidence that it is vaccinated against rabies and is definitely healthy, you should contact any nearest emergency room. The victim of the bite must be given the rabies vaccine.
How quickly should you get vaccinated?
It should be done as soon as possible after the bite of the animal. But the introduction of the vaccine is also indicated regardless of the timing of the victim's request for prophylaxis, even several months after contact with a sick or suspicious animal.
The vaccine contains a weakened causative agent of rabies and contributes to the development of immunity against this disease. If the vaccine is administered on time and in accordance with all the rules, then the immune system has time to form and protect the body before the rabies virus causes the development of the disease. If it is possible to observe an animal that has bitten a person, then the vaccine is administered on day 0 (that is, in fact, the day of the bite, - Ed.), 3rd and 7th days. If the animal is healthy, then the introduction of the vaccine ends. If observation of the animal is not possible, continue vaccination on the 14th, 30th and 90th days.
In addition to the vaccine, there are immunoglobulins - these are preparations containing ready-made antibodies, that is, molecules - analogues of immune antibodies that fight the virus. Such drugs are injected directly into the bite site so that they block the incoming virus as quickly as possible. The decision to use immunoglobulin in addition to vaccination is made by the doctor, based on the circumstances of the incident: when the emergency happened, how deep and extensive the wound is, where it is located.
Most often, antibodies are administered if a person has been bitten by a wild animal, regardless of the nature of the wound, or if, when bitten by a domestic animal, the wound is on the head, chest, hands, fingers and toes. Immunoglobulin is administered in the first hours after the bite, but, as a rule, no later than 7 days, and before the introduction of the vaccine. Immunoglobulins put a greater burden on the body than a vaccine, so patients, especially allergy sufferers, may be asked to go to the hospital under medical supervision for several days.
Unfortunately, immunity after vaccination against rabies is unstable, and lasts for a person on average for a year. In the case of a new bite, if no more than a year has passed since the end of the last full course of preventive vaccinations, the vaccine is administered only on days 0, 3 and 7. If a longer period has passed or an incomplete course of vaccinations has not been carried out, then treatment with the use of a vaccine and, if necessary, immunoglobulin is prescribed as in the case of the initial application for anti-rabies help.
Rabies is a deadly disease that can be transmitted to humans from an infected animal through a bite. And the only way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated. Its peculiarity is that in most cases it is done urgently, with a bite. Let us consider in more detail why and when a person is vaccinated against rabies, how long such a vaccine against the disease works, and what is the vaccination schedule.
Rabies can be transmitted to humans through bites (or rather, exposure to saliva on the surface of the wound) received from sick animals. Usually these are wild animals (foxes, wolves, bats), but cases of infection with rabies of dogs and cats, both domestic and stray, are not uncommon. For this reason, all pet owners are strongly advised to vaccinate their pets against this deadly disease. After all, an infected unvaccinated animal will definitely die due to the disease, and at the same time it carries a serious danger to people.
To date, there is no effective therapy, and the only way to save a person from the disease and prevent it is vaccinations. They are not included in the National Compulsory Vaccination Calendar, such as. This rabies vaccine is not routinely administered to everyone for prevention. There are certain categories of people for whom immunization is indicated:
- veterinarians;
- slaughterhouse workers;
- employees of services related to stray animals (trapping, shelters);
- laboratory workers who may be exposed to such an infection;
- foresters;
- hunters;
- persons who are going to countries with an increased risk of infection.
Vaccination is indicated in emergency cases for all victims of an animal bite, since it is not known for certain whether the bitten animal is infected or not. The victim immediately begins to carry out the necessary course of vaccination, while the bitten animal is observed for 10 days, if possible. A sick animal inevitably dies during this period, in which case rabies is confirmed and the course is continued to the end. If everything is in order with the animal, the immunization is stopped.
Planned and emergency vaccinations differ in administration schemes. So, The rabies vaccination schedule for prevention is carried out as follows:
- day of the first injection;
- seventh day;
- thirtieth day;
- a year later, revaccination is indicated.
Such a course of immunization is enough for a three-year protection, and after the expiration of this period, the course must be repeated. With regard to emergency immunization, it is carried out differently:
- the first vaccination - immediately after infection;
- on the third day;
- on the seventh day;
- two weeks later;
- on the thirtieth day after the bite.
In some cases, three months after the first injection, a sixth dose of the vaccine may be given, but the standard schedule consists of five doses.
Previously, vaccination against this disease was quite heavy - from 20 to 40 injections, which were placed in the abdomen. However, now people are given improved vaccinations according to the above scheme, and this is done intramuscularly: for people over sixteen years old - in the shoulder, for children - in the thigh (but not in the buttock).
Contraindications
Since the rabies vaccine is the only way to save an infected person, in an emergency it is given to everyone. Rabies vaccination for humans, like many others, can have side effects, but they are not comparable to the lethal outcome that occurs without timely immunization.
Emergency vaccination is carried out regardless of the age of the victim, planned - from the age of 16. Thus, we can say that there are no contraindications to the emergency administration of anti-rabies serum. Even pregnant women can be vaccinated to save their lives, and sometimes it is possible to save the life of an unborn baby.
As for routine immunization, it is not done to the following categories of people:
- pregnant women;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- allergic reactions in the past;
- immunodeficiency states;
- acute or exacerbated chronic inflammatory, infectious processes;
- having an allergy to antibiotics.
How to prepare your child for vaccination
When an emergency vaccination against rabies is necessary, the question of possible preparation is not worth it: this must be done as soon as possible after the bite. A period of up to 2 weeks is acceptable, but the sooner the injection is made, the better. Therefore, if a child or an adult has been bitten by a dog or cat, especially a stray one, you should immediately contact a medical facility. If the animal is domestic, and it is known that it has been vaccinated against rabies in a timely manner (there must be an entry in the veterinary passport), then vaccination is not carried out.
If you want to carry out a preventive procedure, then you should follow the generally accepted recommendations:
- the child is healthy at the time of the procedure;
- there are no signs of acute or exacerbation of chronic pathological conditions;
- the child is not allergic to the components of the drug.
Types of vaccines
There are several types of drugs successfully used in the prevention of rabies, both domestic and foreign manufacturers:
- KOKAV, KAV (Russia), differ in doses;
- Rabipur (Germany);
- Indirab (India).
Together with anti-rabies sera after bites, a special immunoglobulin is injected, which is created on the basis of human or horse serum. It is needed in order to temporarily neutralize the causative agent of the disease.
According to the rules, such drugs should be in various medical institutions: outpatient clinics, emergency rooms, surgical departments of hospitals, polyclinics.
Normal reaction and complications after vaccination
Normally, such vaccinations do not give unwanted reactions. But the instructions for the drugs describe possible side effects, which depends on the individual sensitivity of the person:
- local reactions: swelling at the injection site, redness of the skin, soreness (the most common);
- nausea;
- temperature rise;
- pain in the muscles or abdomen;
- allergic reactions (including Quincke's edema);
- dizziness;
- headache;
- hives;
- pain in the joints;
- extremely rarely - a violation of sensitivity, Guillain-Barré syndrome.
These reactions are usually short-lived, but in case of a long duration or too strong manifestations, it is imperative to consult a doctor. In any case, the side effects are much easier to bear than the effects of rabies.
Is vaccination 100% guaranteed?
The guarantee against rabies prevention through vaccination is 100% in ordinary people. However, there are certain cases that reduce the effectiveness of the immunization:
- asking for help too late
- treatment with glucocorticosteroids;
- taking immunosuppressive drugs;
- congenital immunodeficiency;
- non-compliance with the treatment regimen;
- drinking alcohol within six months after the course of treatment;
- violation of the conditions of storage or transportation of the vaccine;
- conducting chemotherapy.
The ban on the use of alcoholic beverages is absolutely justified, and it must be strictly followed: drinks containing alcohol reduce the effectiveness of the immune response that is produced in the body, besides, they increase the load on the liver. So at least 6 months after treatment, the patient must adhere to the "dry law".
More than 150,000 people in Russia suffer from dog bites every year, and dozens of deaths from rabies are recorded.
An increase in cases of dog bites is recorded in the period June-September.
There are ten times fewer victims of bites from stray dogs than those who have been bitten by dogs with owners.
Fighting breed dogs (pit bulls, rottweilers, German shepherd mestizos, German shepherds, Dobermans, etc.)
Dog bites are more common in men, children aged 1-4 years and children 10-13 years old.
Bites predominate in the legs (in adults), in children in the head, face, neck.
More than 15% of all dog bites are complicated by the addition of an infection and the development of an inflammatory process.
For humans, sick dogs are the most common source of a fatal disease like rabies.
What are the consequences of a dog bite for a person?
First of all, this is infection of the wound and the development of a local purulent-inflammatory process, which occurs in 15-20% of all bites. In addition, systemic infection and the development of sepsis (rarely) are possible if the microorganism enters the human bloodstream.Most often, the following microorganisms cause wound infection: Pasteurella (40-50%), Streptococcus (35-45%), Staphylococcus (30-40%), and microbes that multiply in an oxygen-free environment Fusobacterium, Bacteriodes, etc. (20-30% ). In most cases, the microbial flora in an infected wound is mixed. All of these microorganisms are found in the oral cavity of the dog and, when bitten, enter the wound area.
The development of a wound infection usually occurs 8-24 hours after the bite.
Symptoms of an infection in a wound:
Local:
- Signs of inflammation - redness, swelling, pain
- Purulent discharge, sometimes with an unpleasant odor
- Enlargement of adjacent lymph nodes
- Increase in body temperature
- Possible headache
- Slight malaise, weakness
What is rabies?
Rabies- a severe infectious disease caused by a virus. It is transmitted through the bites and saliva of sick animals. The disease is accompanied by damage to the neurons of the spinal cord and brain. In the absence of timely treatment leads to death in 100% of cases.
Who can infect with rabies?
1. The main sources of the rabies virus are wild animals:- In Russia, 90% is a fox
- raccoon dog
- Korsak
- Arctic fox (in the tundra zone)
- In recent years, rabies has been recorded in beavers, ferrets, badgers, gray rats, martens, wild cats, elks, house mice, and gray rats.
- Spreaders of the disease can be: squirrels, muskrats, nutria, hamsters, bears, bats.
The disease is not transmitted from person to person!
How does infection occur?
- When bitten by sick animals
- When the saliva of a sick animal gets on the mucous membranes or on damaged skin
Symptoms of rabies in a dog
Appearance:- Profuse salivation and vomiting
- Strabismus
- Dropping of the lower jaw
- Hoarse and muffled barking
- I have occasional seizures
- The animal is aggressive, excited
- Unexpectedly can pounce on a person
- Gnawing on the ground, various objects
The mechanism of the development of the disease
Through damaged areas of the skin or through the mucous membranes, the virus enters the nerve endings. On which, at a speed of approximately 3 mm per hour, it moves to the spinal cord and brain. Having reached the structures of the brain, the virus penetrates the neurons, where it begins to multiply. After that, the virus moves in the opposite direction from the center to the periphery. The virus spreads throughout the body (salivary, lacrimal glands, kidneys, lungs, intestines, skeletal muscles, etc.). The appearance of salivation, increased sweating, convulsive contractions of the respiratory and swallowing muscles is associated with damage to the structures of the central nervous system. Death occurs from damage to vital centers (vasomotor and respiratory).
In all cases, does a person develop rabies from the bite of a sick animal?
The likelihood of developing the disease depends on the site of the bite. So, with a bite in the neck or face, the disease occurs in 90% of cases, with bites in the arms (hands) - 60%, with bites in the shoulder or thigh in 23% of cases.Symptoms of rabies in humans
On average, the disease develops 1-2 months after the bite, but the onset of the disease is possible both 7 days and a year after the bite. The rate at which symptoms appear depends on the depth, extent of the bite, and most importantly, its location. The closer the bite is to the brain, the faster the disease develops. The symptoms of the disease develop most quickly after a bite to the head, face, neck, and much later after bites to the lower extremities.The disease is characterized by 3 main periods, which are characterized by certain symptoms.
- The initial period or the period of precursors of the disease(duration 1-3 days)
- Pain and discomfort in the area of the bite (which occurs long after the bite on a healed wound)
- Possible rise in temperature
- Violation of the mental state (depression, irritability, isolation, refusal to eat, sleep disturbance, feeling of fear, longing, fear of death, anxiety).
- General malaise, headache
- The period of the height of the disease or the period of excitation(duration 2-3 days)
- During this period, there are attacks of excitement, which are accompanied by both mental and physical excitement. At the time of an attack, a person has muscle cramps, pharynx, larynx, diaphragm, facial muscles, pupils dilate, there is a characteristic expression of horror on the face. During an attack, consciousness changes, hallucinations, delusions occur. The patient's breathing quickens, becomes uneven with deep noisy whistles, it is possible to stop breathing at the height of the attack. Attacks last from a few seconds to minutes, with time their frequency increases.
- An attack can provoke an attempt to drink water (fear of water - hydrophobia), or a breath of air (aerophobia), a loud sound (acousticophobia), bright light (photophobia).
- The patient has a strong salivation, constantly spitting saliva, foam appears from the mouth. The occurrence of foam from the mouth is associated with a violation of the act of swallowing in combination with excessive salivation.
- The patient is very agitated, screaming, rushing about, aggressive, can attack with fists, bite. Excessive emotional activity can last from 2-3 hours to 2-3 days.
- Period of calm or imaginary improvement (duration 1-3 days)
- Cessation of convulsions and excitement
- Conscience clears up
- Death occurs from a block of the respiratory or vasomotor center.
Rabies diagnosis
The diagnosis of rabies is mainly based on the symptoms of the disease and the history of its occurrence. However, it is possible to isolate the virus from saliva or cerebrospinal fluid. In addition, there is an analysis from the imprint of the cornea or a piece of skin on the back of the head that allows you to identify the causative agent of the disease. The most accurate diagnosis is established posthumously, when specific inclusions in neurons (Babes-Negri bodies) are determined during the analysis of the patient's brain.
Consequences of rabies
4 days after the onset of the first symptoms of the disease, 50% of patients die, after 20 days 100% of the diseased.Rabies Prevention
Usually, prophylaxis is carried out for persons who have a high risk of contracting rabies (dog hunters, hunters, veterinarians, foresters, slaughterhouse workers). At the first stage of vaccination, 3 injections of 1 ml of vaccine are made (on the first day, on the 7th and on the 30th). The next vaccination in a year (1 injection). Then every 3 years, 1 injection.
Contraindications for prophylactic vaccination
- Pregnancy
- Allergic reactions to the previous administration of this drug (rash, Quincke's edema, etc.)
- Allergy to antibiotics
- Acute diseases (infectious and non-infectious nature), chronic diseases in exacerbation, vaccination should be carried out one month after recovery.
First aid for a dog bite
How to give first aid to a bitten, a guide
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| What to do? | How? | What for? |
| 1. Wash the wound | Wash the wound under running water with soap for at least 5 minutes (you can use another cleanser that dissolves fats) | The rabies virus dies in an alkaline environment, under the action of disinfectants and fat solvents. |
| 2. Treat the wound and its edges |
| Disinfection, prevention of infection and wound suppuration. Hydrogen peroxide can be poured into the wound cavity, which will have three positive effects at once: it will mechanically remove various contaminants that have entered the wound, stop bleeding and disinfect the wound. |
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| 4. Stop bleeding (if any) | Ways to temporarily stop bleeding:
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| 5. Apply a sterile dressing |
| Prevents further contamination of the wound and the ingress of various microorganisms into it. |
| 6. Administer the rabies vaccine (the procedure is painless, free of charge) | Immunoglobulin against rabies(introduced around the wound and into the depth of the wound). Dose 40 IU/kg and 20 IU/kg. Always administered prior to the administration of the vaccine. For special indications. Rabies vaccine (KOKAV) Enter intramuscularly in the shoulder(deltoid muscle), for children under 5 years old - in the thigh (upper part of the anterior - lateral surface). Do not inject into the gluteal region. There are 2 main schemes for administering the vaccine, which depend on the severity of the bite. The number of injections is not more than 6!
After the introduction of the vaccine, the patient must be observed for at least 30 minutes. Places of vaccination should have all the necessary conditions for the provision of anti-shock treatment. After the course of treatment, a certificate is issued indicating the type and series of vaccines administered and mentioning post-vaccination reactions. It is forbidden:
| Vaccine (KOKAV) is a neutralized virus that contributes to the development of immunity to the rabies virus. Possible adverse reactions (rare): redness, itching, swelling at the injection site, swollen lymph nodes (axillary, cervical), malaise, weakness, fever, headache. Immunoglobulin- is a protein that neutralizes the rabies virus. Possible side effects of immunoglobulin: anaphylactic shock, |
Some features of therapeutic vaccination:
Vaccination is not carried out if the bitten animal was vaccinated, while the owner of the dog has all the necessary documents confirming the vaccination of the animal. 2. In what cases is treatment with immunoglobulin performed?
4. Breast age of a child or pregnancy is not a reason for refusing medical vaccinations. 5. Treatment is carried out regardless of the time the victim applied for help (possibly a few months after the bite). 6. Vaccinations after a dog bite to children
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Prevention of dog bites
- Do not approach a dog guarding its puppies
- Do not suddenly disturb the dog if he is sleeping
- Don't touch the dog while it is eating.
- Respect the dog's territory (her place, etc.)
- Don't let your child touch an unfamiliar dog
- Don't leave your child alone with the dog
Rabies or rabies is a serious disease that does not manifest itself at the initial stage. However, in the case of tightening, in most cases it leads to a fatal outcome. It is for this reason that rabies vaccination is extremely important for a person who has had contact with an animal in the form of a bite or laceration.
The rabies virus is transmitted to humans from an animal through a bite, scratch, or simple licking by an infected animal of an open wound on the skin.
As mentioned earlier, rabies leads to the death of the patient and there are two options to exclude this option:
- Vaccination.
- Rabies vaccination after a bite.
In most countries, the population is carried out at will and is not a mandatory measure, however, in some states (Thailand), rabies injections are mandatory for every local resident.
The duration of the vaccine does not exceed three years, therefore, if you have chosen such a method of protection against rabies as preventive vaccinations, you will need to regularly repeat this procedure to replenish immunity from the disease.
The need to invent this vaccine arose quite a long time ago, when people began to make a connection between the death of a person and the bite of a wild animal that preceded it. At the same time, it was not possible to produce a medicine for a long time, and only in 1885, the French microbiologist Louis Pasteur synthesized a vaccine, which began to give positive results in the near future.
Naturally, the effect of the vaccine gradually improved, due to regular research. 
Despite the optional nature of vaccination, it is recommended that the following categories of people be regularly vaccinated:
- veterinarians;
- persons catching and keeping homeless animals;
- representatives of medical laboratories studying the virus or working with it;
- persons slaughtering livestock in a slaughterhouse;
- hunters;
- foresters;
- taxidermists (engaged in the manufacture of stuffed animals);
- persons planning a trip or to countries where the risk of infection is high (even a short trip to such a country can be fatal, so do not neglect the recommendations of doctors);
- people who have been attacked by an animal.
The last point implies not planned, but emergency vaccination, since delay in such a matter can lead to sad consequences. 
With regard to being bitten, scratched or salivated by an animal, the procedure may be as follows:
- if the condition of the animal can be tracked - a person receives three vaccines in a ten-day period and if during this time the animal is alive, no further is required (of course, the animal must be placed under quarantine and isolated from others);
- if it is not possible to observe the condition of the animal, a full course is prescribed;
- wolf, fox and bat are considered potential carriers of the disease, and in case of their bite, a full course is carried out, regardless of whether it is possible to monitor their condition.
When not to get vaccinated
We figured out the reasons why it is necessary to vaccinate, and in which case it is possible to refrain from vaccination at all, even if a bite has taken place.
- time with an injection is possible in the absence of a full-fledged bite of the skin (for example, the animal bit the limb through a dense tissue and simply did not reach the skin);
- contact of the saliva of an infected animal with intact human skin;
- the scratch was caused by a bird (birds are not carriers of rabies);
- the bite or scratch was caused by a pet that had previously been vaccinated in accordance with all the rules;
- after eating the meat of an infected animal (the rabies virus does not withstand high temperatures and dies after 2 minutes when heated).
The virus in the external nature is weak and dies almost immediately, in the air or in the soil.
Contraindications
Naturally, like any vaccine, it has contraindications that are justified only in the case of preventive vaccination. So, the administration of the drug is not recommended in the following cases:
- pregnancy (the baby may die in the womb due to exposure to the vaccine);
- an acute period of any illness (before injecting a vaccine, a person must not only recover, but at least a month must pass from the moment of recovery);
- allergic reactions (as a rule, the presence of an allergy to the components of the vaccine becomes known after its first use).
These restrictions do not apply when it comes to forced vaccination to save a person's life.
So, during pregnancy, if the mother is not vaccinated, the mother will inevitably die, and, accordingly, the child. Well, in such a situation, when they choose between the life of a mother and a child, they always save the mother.
The same situation is with other contraindications. In case of a bite, the doctor does not pay attention to them. Why? To save a patient's life.
As for the use of alcohol during vaccination, then everything is not so simple. According to the recommendation of Russian doctors, there is a restriction on the intake of alcoholic beverages for the entire period of vaccination. But in the documentation of the World Health Organization (WHO), nothing is said, is it possible to drink alcohol?
A drinking person will instantly grab onto this loophole, and will be absolutely wrong. Any drink that has at least some alcohol in it is harmful and even dangerous during the period of the vaccine and drinking, even beer, during a preventive vaccination, and even more so during the treatment after a bite, is stupid (drink the last time or be patient, it's up to you).
Alcoholism, just like a single dose of alcohol, can provoke a decrease in the effectiveness of the vaccine, as a result of which it will not fully perform its functions, which will lead to a fatal outcome. There may even be an increase in the effect of the vaccine, but this does not mean that rabies will be cured several times faster, no, the patient will only have increased side effects, which we will talk about later.
If you can’t stand it at all, you can choose an alternative and try a soft drink.
As an example, we can cite an indicative case that occurred in the Siberian region of the Russian Federation. One girl did not heed the recommendations and drank alcohol during vaccination and as a result her condition worsened. Only thanks to the actions of the doctors, the patient was saved.
How many injections will be required?
The rabies vaccination is covered in a large number of rumors and myths regarding the place of injections and their number. But all these rumors are not unfounded. In fact, the patient used to receive 40 injections in the abdomen over a long period of time.
At present, people who have been bitten by an animal do not need to do such a huge number of vaccinations, the average dose is six injections.
Vaccinations are not given at one time, but only after a certain number of days.
In the event that a bite or wound is received in the facial area, about ten injections may be required, and if the animal remains alive after ten days after the bite and does not have any signs of rabies, three vaccines are sufficient.
When, where and how many injections are needed for vaccination? As mentioned earlier, the standard number of injections is six injections, provided that the sixth is more than the control one and after five injections of the drug the body is almost completely protected.
It is carried out without taking into account the age and gender of the patient. This means that the vaccination schedule is the same for everyone. Naturally, when calculating the dose of the active substance, the individual characteristics of the organism (height, weight, etc.) are taken into account.
Scheme as follows:
- First injection (no later than 14 days after the bite).
- Three days after the first.
- Seven days after the first injection.
- 14 days after the first injection.
- 30 days after the first injection.
The sequence of injections
It is unacceptable to interrupt the administration of the vaccine, since its action is based on the accumulation of the active substance, and if the vaccination schedule is interrupted or changed, the substance may not begin to work.
As for the period of 14 days from the moment of the bite, it is considered that the drug is useless if more than two weeks have passed. There is evidence that even after this amount of time people recovered, but there are only six of them.
All vaccinations are placed in the outer surface of the shoulder, for adults and in the thigh for children. An injection in the gluteal muscle is unacceptable.
It has not been carried out in the stomach for several years.
As mentioned earlier, the duration of the vaccine does not exceed three years, so after this period it is necessary to repeat the course (this does not apply to people who have had a bite, etc., but only to those who are routinely vaccinated).
Side effects
The rabies vaccine is generally well tolerated, but it can also cause debilitating side effects, including:
- the injection site may hurt;
- there is a possibility that the patient may have a fever (an antipyretic drug can easily cope with this problem);
- nausea and vomiting may occur;
- itching, reddening of the skin may develop;
- there is a possibility of enlarged lymph nodes;
- headache, weakness and dizziness;
- allergic reactions of both local and local scale;
- disorders of the nervous system (the most severe side effect).
The duration of these effects in adults and children differ and in most cases does not exceed a few days.
Despite the presence of the most severe effect of the vaccine, the doctor cannot prohibit its use, since the influence of the active component that causes certain complications is undeniably higher than the harmful effects it has on the body.
Applicable vaccines
There are several types of rabies vaccines, both domestic and imported. The imported version will be more expensive than the domestic one. 
The vaccine contains an inactive rabies virus (it is not live), which is not dangerous to humans, but it contributes to the production of the patient's own antibodies. Thus, the virus does not kill the vaccine itself, but directly produced by the body.
In addition to the inactive virus, there is also the so-called anti-rabies vaccine, which, as a rule, is injected directly into the bite site (there is a vaccine based on human and horse immunoglobulin, in the first case its dosage will be less).
The most common vaccines are:
- Nobivak.
- Rabies.
- Rabikan.
- Rabik.
- KOKAV.
- Rabipur.
Which of the vaccines to inject will be suggested by the doctor based on the availability of a particular drug in a medical institution. You can not independently carry out an injection, since only the doctor selects the dosage based on several parameters.
Interaction with other drugs
Treatment for rabies is associated with some burden on the human body, and, accordingly, an additional burden in the form of antibiotics and other medications is not desirable.
In addition, some medications may have a negative effect on the production of antibodies to the rabies virus, in particular:
- glucocorticosteroids;
- malaria pills;
- cytostatics;
- chemotherapy;
- radiation therapy;
- immunosuppressive treatment.
Thus, it is better to exclude a dangerous type of treatment and not use the listed drugs until the end of vaccination. You can take medication only in consultation with your doctor.
In addition to the negative consequences of co-administration of anti-rabies and other drugs, complications may occur in some other cases.
Combination of certain vaccines
Since after such an injection, you can swim and wet the injection site, but it is not advisable to comb it and rub it with a washcloth, as this can cause redness and swelling. In addition, the bath can also provoke an unpleasant reaction of the body, so it is better to refrain from such trips. If there are signs of an allergic reaction, you should inform your doctor.
Where are people vaccinated against rabies?
What to do if you are bitten by an animal and you do not know whether it is vaccinated or not. In such a situation, we recommend that you immediately contact the nearest trauma department or emergency room. There, the doctor will be able to give the first injection and send for further vaccination to a medical facility.
Vaccination must also be carried out in a clinic where you have a valid patient status assigned to it.
Price
You can get vaccinated both at the local clinic and at any paid clinic. How much should a standard vaccination cost?
The average price is 900 rubles. However, in different regions, the management of a particular clinic may set a different price. From 800 to 1400 rubles for one injection.
Thus, the patient may need from 4500 to 7400 rubles for the entire course. The cost is not small, but life is more expensive.
So, vaccination should be carried out in a specialized institution. Do not neglect a visit to the clinic if there is a suspicion of a possible infection. Take care of your health.
Good afternoon!
There will be a lot of text, sorry, but I want to describe my situation in more detail so that you can provide a complete picture of what happened. Yesterday (11/15/17) in the evening I walked through the yard, where a couple of stray dogs constantly live. The fact is that I have repeatedly heard complaints from people that they bark, sometimes bite passers-by, tear bags. I also know that earlier there were puppies in the yard, I suspect that this is a female and a male, and these were their puppies, but, alas, in the semi-darkness it was not possible to properly examine the dogs. Now the puppies seem to be gone (I did not notice their presence), but the dogs are still aggressive. They are not much in size, but as someone passes by, they begin to "kad". So, yesterday I was walking through the yard (to the store), and one of the dogs was lying in a pile of foliage, and I didn’t see the second one right away, it seemed to be somewhere ahead too. The one that was in front began to bark, and immediately ran to me, then the second one joined her (which had previously been lying in the foliage). Because was already in the middle of the yard, and they surrounded me, then she didn’t stop or go back, but went further, trying to quickly pass their “territory” (I think this was a wrong decision on my part and I had to step back, or try to hide in the entrance, but I'm terribly confused). There were no people nearby to help me, and I myself was somehow frightened of them and confused, I didn’t even try to drive them away or shout (the thought slipped through my head, and suddenly they would become even more aggressive, in general, the fear “fettered”). Then I just went forward, quickening my pace, wanting to pass the yard as soon as possible - I think they might bark and bark, and they will fall behind, after all they are relatively small, and they all barked, and even clung to the next. I also had a small bag with me, with dishes in which I took lunch to work with me, I carried it in my left hand, and pushed it a little away from the body, hoping that the dogs would first of all switch their attention to what is closer to him - that is, a package, but this idea, in general, failed. In general, one of them grabbed me by the left leg under the inner side of the knee, but could not grab and hold, because. I did not stand still, but continued to walk forward, and she is not so large and strong, and it turned out that I kind of pulled my leg out of her mouth. The second one grabbed my bag and tore it up, and my food bowl fell out and went to the dogs.
When I moved far enough away from the dogs, that is, I went beyond their "territory", hiding around the corner of the building, I carefully looked back into the yard and saw that they were chewing and tearing my bag with the dish together. I immediately examined the jeans - they were intact, I also did not see pronounced saliva stains.
Got home in 15-20 minutes. Taking off her clothes, she again examined the clothes and the leg itself.
The jeans were intact and not bitten through. And, here on the leg there were oblong scratches in the place where the dog pressed with longer teeth (fangs?), apparently due to the fact that I pulled my leg out of its mouth. The wounds were superficial, as if brought, a little ichor appeared at one point, but its amount was insignificant (less than one drop). On the inside of the jeans, I found small pieces of my peeled skin (apparently, the material of the jeans worked like sandpaper).
The wound was carefully, lathering abundantly several times, washed with household soap, then treated with hydrogen peroxide, and even moistening a couple of pieces of cotton wool abundantly, applied it to the damaged area for a couple of hours (the wounds “pulled” a little), then she generously smeared the damaged area with brilliant green.
At the moment (lunch on 11/16/17), the wounds have dried up, directly around them there is light, slightly thickened skin, and a little further from the wounds, hematomas under the skin, not swollen, hurt a little when pressed, purple in color (apparently the vessels burst). The bite itself is, as it were, in the shape of a "V", - marks from the teeth of the jaw, just below the inside of the knee. Where the "branches" of the "V" converge, there is also a hematoma. Today I smeared with heparin ointment so that the hematomas would quickly pass.
The fact is that I was 26 and planned a pregnancy, and there were always problems with the liver, and apparently, the rabies vaccine requires certain restrictions to be observed and quite strongly affects the body. Moreover, I can’t get vaccinated against rabies right now, because. there is no vaccine in the city, you need to look for where to go.
Briefly, what I know about the situation:
1) Dogs live in the yard for a long time (at least since the summer).
2) Previously, there were puppies, and they snapped at people passing by, and the dogs consider the territory of this part of the yard to be theirs.
3) Judging by the way they began to gnaw on the dish from under the food, they were hungry.
4) Before that, I heard complaints about these dogs. Yesterday I immediately called a friend who lives in the house of this courtyard, and she said that mine is probably the 10th or 11th case of such an attack (but I don’t know how traumatic, i.e. whether the clothes were bitten, the skin was damaged etc.).
I read that the vaccination can be done within the first 14 days after the bite (of course, it is desirable immediately, but my reasons for not doing it immediately are indicated above). In addition, although the dogs do not live in my yard, but constantly in the same place, then for 10 days I could visit their habitat, and, carefully, from afar, look at their condition (whether they are alive, whether they).
Based on this, I want to know from you how likely it is that I will be infected with rabies, and can I postpone the vaccination until 10 days have passed?
Sincerely, Maria.
Thank you in advance!
