Abhayrab

Uses
Abhayrab (Rabies Vaccine) can be a life saving medicine. Only the rabies vaccine can protect the exposed person from the virus and safe their life. The vaccination may potentially cause side effects, however all people bitten by an affected animal must be vaccinated, irrespective of their gender and age.

Rabies is a very dangerous virus-related disease. Humans are infected through the bite of an affected animal. The virus spreads through the skin to the nervous system and causes a lethal effect - inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). Both domestic and wild animals can be the carriers of the virus. The most common sources of infection are dogs. Currently, vaccination is the only way to prevent the disease after the contact with an affected animal.

Dosage and Administration
Vaccination in case of an animal attack

If a person was attacked by an animal, infected with rabies, the following vaccination schedule has to be used:

1. The vaccine is administered as soon as the patient visits a doctor after the attack;
2. The next injection is administered on the third day after the first visit;
3. By the end of the first week after the bite of an infected animal;
4. On the 14th day;
5. On the 30th day;
6. The last injection is administered on the 90th day after the bite.

This rabies vaccination schedule allows for the most durable immunity against the disease.

Additional vaccination after an animal attack

A patient, who received the rabies vaccine not earlier than a year ago, in case of the infected animal attack, is subject to additional vaccination, completed according to a different schedule:

1. One injection on the day when the animal attack occurred;
2. Injection on the 3rd day;
3. Another injection on the 7th day.

Preventive vaccination

People who are exposed to higher infection risks (such as veterinaries and wood rangers) are recommended to undergo the preventive vaccination. It is normally held in accordance with the special vaccination schedule, irrespective of whether an infected animal attacked the patient or not. The vaccination schedule looks as follows:

• An injection on the day of the visit;
• Another injection in 7 day;
• One more injection on the 30th day;
• The first re-vaccination is held in one year;
• Subsequently, one injection of the vaccine is administered every three years.

Side effects
Rabies vaccine injection may cause a number of responses. The most common side effects include:

• Skin itching;
• Significant swelling at the injection site;
• Lymph nodes enlargement;
• Body temperature increase up to 38.0°С;
• General weakness;
• Head and muscle aches.

Rabies vaccination may cause some more severe side effects:

• Joint aches;
• Fever;
• Hives;
• Autonomic nervous system disorders;
• Angioedema.

The most dangerous consequence of the rabies vaccine administration is anaphylaxis, an immediate allergic reaction that can lead to death.

Precautions
There is always a risk of side effects after the vaccine administration. Therefore, the rabies vaccine is not recommended in patients with the following conditions:

• Pregnancy (irrespective of the gestational age);
• Acute exacerbation of a chronic disease;
• Oncological diseases;
• Allergic reactions to the previously administered vaccine;
• Intolerance of the vaccine components.