TOP REASONS TO GET RABIES VACCINATIONS BEFORE TRIP

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TOP REASONS TO GET RABIES VACCINATIONS BEFORE TRIP
Rabies is a fatal viral disease from animal bites
and scratches, that claims 60,000 100,000 lives
per year worldwide. Every year 15-20 million
people need treatment following an animal
exposure (bite, scratch or lick) that could have
a rabies risk. Less than a handful of people have
ever survived rabies as far as we know. It is
almost always fatal (Rabies Travel Vaccinations)
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WHY RABIES VACCINATION
Pre-exposure vaccination is a highly effective
measure in lowering the risk of this disease
following a bite or scratch from a suspected
rabid animal. Pre-exposure vaccination does NOT
just buy you time. Vaccinations against rabies
has taken on added importance since human rabies
immunoglobulin (the antidote called HRIG) has
been in limited supply in the countries where the
rabies risk is highest  East Asia (India,
Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia
including Bali, etc.), Sub-Saharan Africa and
Latin America.
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Rabies prevention, before you go
Book an appointment for a pre-travel consultation
at least 6 weeks before you are due to travel. A
rabies vaccine is available for travelers who are
considered to be at risk of rabies. Your
healthcare provider will be able to talk to you
about your risk of rabies and any other disease
risks in your chosen destination. Please note
that receiving rabies vaccine prior to travel
does not eliminate the need for a medical
evaluation if you are exposed to a possibly rabid
animal during your trip. Urgent medical advice
should always be sought following any possible
exposure to rabies additional doses of rabies
vaccine may be needed. You can help to ensure
you receive the correct treatment after a
possible exposure to rabies by keeping a record
of your rabies vaccinations with you at all times
whilst you are traveling. It is important to show
this to the doctor or nurse treating you after
any potential rabies exposure. For future trips
booster doses may be recommended, so check with
your practice nurse or doctor before traveling
overseas.
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What if you dont get vaccinated before traveling?
If you do not have rabies vaccination before
traveling, you may need more intensive treatment
in the event of a potential exposure to rabies,
including a treatment called immunoglobulin,
which will be followed by 5 doses of the rabies
vaccine over the course of the following month.
Rabies immunoglobulin is vital for immediate
protection but it has been difficult to obtain in
some countries for a number of years now. In such
cases you may need to quickly travel to a nearby
country or home to the UK for immediate
treatment. While you are there, what can you do
to protect yourself from rabies?

• Avoid contact with wild and domestic animals
• Do not approach animals or attempt to pick up an
  unusually tame animal or one that appears unwell
• Do not attract stray animals by offering food or
  by being careless with litter
• Be aware that certain activities can attract dogs
  (e.g. running, cycling)
• Be aware that children are at higher risk of
  rabies as they are less likely to avoid contact
  with animals or report a lick or bite.
• If you are bitten, scratched, or licked on an
  open wound (such as a cut or a patch of eczema)
  or mucous membrane (eyes, nose or mouth) you must
  seek medical attention immediately.
• Never think that a wound is so small it cant be
  a risk. If the skin is broken then the rabies
  virus may be able to enter.

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WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU ARE EXPOSED TO RABIES?

• Remember, this is an emergency seek medical
  advice without delay, even if you had the rabies
  vaccine before you traveled.
• Immediately flush the wound with plenty of soap
  or detergent under running tap water for at least
  15-20 minutes
• Do not scrub the wound
• If possible apply an iodine solution or neat
  alcohol (40-70)
• Do not cover the wound or apply a pressure
  dressing
• Wash any animal saliva from your face immediately
  with plenty of water to stop it from getting into
  your eyes, nose or mouth
• Seek urgent medical attention with out delay
  (even if you have had a course of rabies vaccine
  previously).
• You might also need antibiotics to prevent the
  wound becoming infected.

Further information for travellers regarding
rabies vaccinations is available from Public
Health England in chapter 27 of The Green Book
 Rabies.
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Rabies vaccination at TravelDoc
The primary rabies vaccination course comprises
three rabies vaccines given over 3-4 weeks, on
days 0, 7 and 21-28.This provides cover for a
number of years but a booster should be given if
travelling to a high risk area in the future
(usually 5 years).
The rabies vaccines used are NON-LIVE and
therefore do not usually lead to flu-like or
febrile illness. A pre-exposure course of rabies
vaccinations means that if you are unlucky enough
to be bitten or scratched by a suspected rabid
animal, you will not need human rabies
immunoglobulin (the antidote, known as HRIG).
Rabies vaccine costs just 45 per dose at
TravelDoc. The full course consists of three
doses over 3-4 weeks. A booster is required after
5 years. The vaccine is not live and therefore
does not make you unwell. It is very well
tolerated. The vaccine does not go into the
stomach (it goes into the arm like all other
travel vaccines). 
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