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Rabies Vaccine vs Immunoglobulin: Rabies is a fatal infection and it is spread by the bite of many animals including dogs and cats. Most cases of rabies are related to dog bites. Many people believe that getting rabies vaccine is not enough, but antibodies should also be given along with it. However, according to virologists, it is sufficient to get anti-rabies vaccine after a dog bite. Rabies immunoglobulin is needed only in some severe cases.
Rabies Antibodies Along With Vaccine: Rabies is a dangerous infection, which often spreads to humans through the bite of a dog, cat, monkey or other infected animal. Most cases of rabies occur due to dog bite. If a person is bitten by a dog and is not given anti-rabies vaccine as soon as possible, then rabies infection can spread. If rabies infection spreads, it causes death. This is the reason why rabies infection is the most fatal. There is no treatment for it and death occurs. This is the reason why it is counted among the most dangerous diseases in the world. However, it is a matter of relief that this infection can be prevented with anti-rabies vaccine.
For the last few days, a video is going viral on social media, in which a person is claiming that after a dog bite, it is not enough to get only anti-rabies vaccine, but rabies immunoglobulin i.e. antibodies should also be administered along with it. Only the combination of these two can give 100% protection from rabies. Most people get rabies vaccine only after a dog bite. Health experts also consider anti-rabies vaccine to be very effective in protecting against this infection. Now the question is whether it is really necessary to get antibodies along with anti-rabies vaccine? Let us know about this from experts.
Dr. Sunit K Singh, director and virologist of Dr. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, New Delhi, told StuffUnknown. That all anti-rabies vaccines should be administered before 24 hours of a dog or cat bite. After this, all its doses should be administered at the right time. Anti-rabies vaccine is very effective in preventing infection with this deadly disease. Apart from this, if we talk about rabies antibodies i.e. rabies immunoglobulin, then it is not a treatment in itself. These antibodies are also administered along with the vaccine, so that in severe cases, protection from rabies can be provided as soon as possible. These antibodies are not required in all cases of dog bite. In most cases, anti-rabies vaccine is sufficient and antibodies gradually develop in the body. This helps in preventing rabies infection.
The virologist said that if anyone thinks that there is no benefit in just getting the anti-rabies vaccine, then this should be removed from the mind. Anti-rabies vaccine is most effective in protecting against rabies. The rabies antibodies available in hospitals do not work the same for everyone and not everyone benefits from them. Whereas the antibodies that the body produces naturally after the anti-rabies vaccine are most effective against rabies. Therefore, after a dog bite, people should first wash the area thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and after that, get anti-rabies vaccine administered within a few hours. There should be no carelessness at all in this matter. Many times doctors decide to administer antibodies based on the patient’s condition and the dog bite.
