Treatment Of Rabies

Overview

Rabies is a serious but rare infection of the nerves and brain caused by animal bites or scratches. If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal infected with rabies, clean the wound immediately with iodine- or alcohol-based disinfectant and do a simple wound dressing before going to the nearest clinic or hospital. Treatment of rabies involves proper cleaning of the wound, rabies vaccination and administration of immunoglobulin. Four doses of rabies vaccine should be given over a period of one month if you have never had the vaccine before, or two doses a few days apart if you have. Immunoglobulin is only given in some cases where there is a high risk of getting infected. It will provide immediate short-term protection. Treatment must be started promptly within a few hours of being scratched or bitten by an animal such as dogs, foxes or bats.