Dog Bite Rabies Injections

Rabies is acute viral encephalitis caused by a RNA virus (Genus: Lyssavirus, Family: Rhabdoviridae). The virus is bullet shaped and can be seen through an electron microscope only. Rabies is a zoonotic disease (i.e., transmitted by animals) that affects all mammals and is endemic in India. Rabies virus is resistant to cold and freeze drying.

Most commonly, transmission to humans takes place through exposure to saliva following a bite by an infected animal.

Myths about rabies

1) People apply turmeric, salt and sometimes ghee over the wound area. Chilies, hydrogen- peroxide and cow dung are some other wrong practices followed mainly in the rural parts of India.

2) A single dose vaccine will prevent rabies.
3) Vaccines are more effective if taken on empty stomach.

Steps to be taken after Dog Bits
1) Washing the wound Area
By mere washing of wounds and application of antiseptics, the risk of rabies will reduce by about 50%.

The maximum benefit of the wound washing is obtained when fresh wound is cleaned immediately. It is important to remove saliva containing rabies virus at the site of bite by physical or chemical means. This can be done by prompt and gentle thorough washing with ordinary soap or detergent and flushing the wound with running tap water for at least 15 minutes.

Washing of the wound must be done as long as the wound is raw; irrespective of the time elapsed since the exposure. Care must be taken not to disturb the scab, if formed. We should never try to deepen the bite wound. Deepening of wound for cleaning depends on area of injury, extent of injury and the aim should be to preserve as much tissue as possible and to excise dead tissue only.

2) Apply Ani Bactorial Cream

3) Do not bandage the wound as far as possible and if unavoidable, apply non-adherent, absorbent dressings.

4) Get Rabies Injections. Generally 5 shots are to be given of 0.1 ml each at 0,3,7,14,28 days from dog bite.
Types of Vaccinations are:-
(1) Purified vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV)
(2) Purified chick embryo cell vaccine (PCECV)
(3) Human diploid cell vaccine (HDCV)
(4) Purified duck embryo vaccine (PDEV)
PCECV based injections are most effective.

It is also recommended to get tetnus Injection on Day 0 too.
Alcohol should be avoided during one month of Vaccination program.

Brands of Rabies Vaccination in India

Injection Name	Manufactured By	Cost
Rabivax	Serum Institute of India	Rs 360
Vaxirab	Zydus Cadila Healhcare Ltd	Rs 318
Xprab	Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd	Rs 318
Rabipur	Novartis Pharmaceutical Ltd	Rs 336
Imovax	Aventis Pharmaceuticals Ltd	Rs 336