4. The Rabies Protocol: A Guide to Post-Exposure Treatment
While rabies is rare, it is a fatal disease if left untreated. For this reason, medical protocols for potential exposure are aggressive and highly effective. Please be reassured that the post-exposure treatment, when administered promptly after a bite, is extremely successful at preventing the disease.
- Assessing the Dog The first step in the protocol is to determine the status of the dog. If the dog is a known pet with a confirmed, up-to-date rabies vaccination history, your risk is very low. However, if the dog is a stray, cannot be found, or shows signs of rabies (such as aggression, strange behavior, or excessive drooling), a protective treatment protocol will be started immediately as a precaution.
- The 10-Day Observation Period If the dog can be safely identified and captured, it will be confined and observed by a veterinarian for 10 days. If the dog remains healthy during this observation period, it proves that it could not have transmitted the rabies virus at the time of the bite. In this case, your treatment can be safely discontinued upon the advice of your doctor.
- Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) PEP is the medical term for the treatment given to prevent rabies from developing after a potential exposure. It consists of two critical parts that work together to protect you:
- Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG): This is an injection of human rabies antibodies that is administered directly into and around the wound area. Its purpose is to provide immediate, temporary protection by neutralizing any virus at the bite site. This “passive” immunity protects you while your body works to build its own long-term defense.
- The Rabies Vaccine Series: This is a series of shots that stimulates your own immune system to produce long-lasting antibodies against the rabies virus. The typical schedule is a 5-dose series administered on days 0 (the day of your first visit), 3, 7, 14, and 28. It is absolutely essential to follow the exact schedule provided by your doctor to ensure the vaccine is effective.
Once your immediate medical treatment plan is established, the focus shifts to your role in ensuring a smooth recovery at home.