What should you know about rabies shots for humans?

Rabies vaccination may be given before a recognised risk or after a bite, scratch, or saliva exposure. After exposure, clinicians consider the animal, the type and site of contact, whether skin was broken, and the person’s previous vaccination. Care can involve wound treatment, vaccine, and in some situations rabies immunoglobulin placed around the wound. The plan is individual, so do not substitute a remembered schedule for clinical assessment.

Immediately wash a bite or scratch with soap and running water; use an antiseptic if available, without delaying care. Avoid sealing the wound yourself or applying irritating substances. Note the animal’s species, behaviour, location, and whether it can be safely identified or observed. Contact an emergency service or clinician as soon as possible, even if the wound looks minor and even if the animal was a pet. Bring any vaccination information you have.

Seek urgent medical assessment after a bite or scratch from a mammal that may carry rabies, or when saliva reaches broken skin, the eyes, mouth, or nose. Do not wait for fever, tingling, swallowing difficulty, confusion, or other symptoms. Once symptoms develop, rabies is a medical emergency. Go promptly as well when the exposure happened abroad, involved a bat, or the animal cannot be located for assessment.

Ask whether the contact counts as an exposure, which wound care is needed, whether vaccine and immunoglobulin are indicated, and how previous rabies vaccination changes the plan.