Can You Get Rabies Even If You Are Vaccinated Against It?

It is very rare that you can get infected after receiving rabies vaccination. However certain reasons that may cause this to happen are delay in receiving vaccine after exposure to the virus and not following a proper vaccination schedule.

Rabies is a fatal, viral disease that attacks the central nervous system leading to disease of the brain and eventually causing death. The disease is commonly spread through exposure to the saliva of a rabid animal transmitted through its bite.

Incubation of the virus can take up to two weeks to a month, from the time of exposure until and symptoms manifest. This is due to the fact that the virus must first travel to the brain before symptoms show. This gives the rabies vaccine a very high chance of efficacy when administered after exposure to the virus.

What are the signs and symptoms of rabies?

Initial symptoms of rabies in people maybe similar to the flu that last for a few days. Ranging from:

·         Weakness

·         Fever

·         Headache

·         Vomiting

·         Discomfort or itching on the bite site

As the disease progresses later symptoms include:

·         Confusion

·         Fear of fluids due to difficulty in swallowing

·         Hallucinations

·         Insomnia

·         Paralysis

Symptoms of rabies in animals are similar to humans showing general sickness, and may also exhibit excessive drooling or over aggression and even paralysis.

How is rabies transmitted?

You can get rabies through direct contact to a rabid animal’s saliva, usually through a bite. In rare cases, rabies can also spread through non-animal bite such as whenk an infected animal licks an open wound or cut or when an animal licks your mouth, eyes or nose.

Only mammals can be infected and spread rabies, therefore, reptiles are not carriers of the virus. The most common rabid animals are:

·         Skunks

·         Bats

·         Raccoons

·         Foxes

·         Cats

·         Dogs

It is best not to approach wild or stray animals especially in countries where rabies is widespread.

Is rabies vaccination effective?

Studies indicate that the current rabies vaccine show 100 percent efficacy when administered timely and continued for a course of time. Some patients reported experiencing mild side effects following vaccinations such as a sore arm or discomfort at the site of injection, headache, and nausea.

A rabies vaccination administered before or after exposure to the virus is still your best defense against infection.  For a convenient vaccination procedure book an appointment with Touchwood Pharmacy today.