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that the body is still producing antibodies against the includes a dose of human anti‐rabies immune globulin
VetBooks.ir virus. Preexposure vaccination alone is not considered (HRIG) injected into the bite wound (with the excess
given intramuscularly) plus a series of four rabies vac-
protective in the event of a rabies exposure.
cines over two weeks (on days 0, 3, 7, and 14). A fifth
vaccine dose may be needed for immunosuppressed
Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis
individuals on day 28. The HRIG should not be injected
For people with a known, or suspected, exposure in the same muscle as the rabies vaccine. Previously
to rabies, postexposure treatment is recommended. vaccinated people only need a series of two vaccina-
In healthy, previously unvaccinated people, treatment tions, on days 0 and 3, after an exposure.

Further Reading

Ehnert K, Galland GG. Border health: who’s guarding the 2016. www.nasphv.org/documentsCompendiaRabies.
gate? Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2009; 39(2): html (accessed July 2, 2019).
359–72. Ugolini G, Hemachudha T. Rabies: changing prophylaxis
Greene CE. Rabies and other Lyssavirus infections. In: and new insights in pathophysiology. Curr Opin Infect
Greene CE, ed. Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Dis 2018; 31: 93–101.
Cat, 4th edn. St Louis, MO: WB Saunders, 2012, Wilson PJ, Oertli EH, Hunt PR, Sidwa TJ. Evaluation of a
pp. 179–97. postexposure rabies prophylaxis protocol for domestic
National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians. animals in Texas: 2000–2009. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2010;
Compendium of animal rabies prevention and control, 12: 1395–401.