Rabies vaccinations In UK

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Rabies vaccinations In UK
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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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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 travellers 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

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• 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 (Intradermal) costs just 30
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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Contact Us
Phone [phone] (Nottingham) 0114 3583930
(Sheffield)
Email info_at_travel-doc.com
Website https//www.travel-doc.com/service/rabies
/
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