What should you know about rabies and tetanus vaccine?

Rabies risk follows exposure to saliva from an infected mammal, while tetanus risk follows contamination of a wound with bacteria from the environment. They are unrelated infections. A bite, puncture, crush injury, or wound contaminated with soil may therefore prompt a review of both your rabies exposure and your tetanus vaccination history.

Rinse and wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water. Apply gentle pressure for bleeding and cover it with a clean dressing. Seek medical assessment promptly, taking any vaccination record and details of the animal, the contact, the wound, and the time it happened. A clinician may recommend wound treatment, a tetanus vaccine or other protection, rabies post-exposure care, or observation of the animal.

Use urgent care for deep wounds, uncontrolled bleeding, bites to the face or hand, numbness, reduced movement, severe pain, or signs of infection. Get prompt advice after any possible rabies exposure, especially if the animal is unfamiliar, unavailable, or behaving unusually. Do not wait for illness symptoms.

Ask which infection risks apply, whether your tetanus record is up to date, whether rabies treatment is indicated, how the wound should be dressed, and when to return for review.