Patient's question:
On September 1st, I completed the last dose of the rabies vaccine, but no antibody test was performed. On October 14th in the afternoon, I was bitten by a rabid dog and treated with soap water. The (local health station) advised me to check for antibodies the next day before further treatment.On October 15th in the morning, the antibody test came back positive. Will I still get rabies? For safety, I received two more vaccine doses. Is it now guaranteed that I won’t get rabies? Additionally, I am 32 weeks pregnant—could my child carry the rabies virus in the future?
Doctor's answer:
Hello, rabies is an infectious disease caused by a viral infection, clinically characterized by specific symptoms such as hydrophobia, fear of sound, aversion to wind, restlessness, pharyngeal muscle spasm, and progressive paralysis. This virus is primarily transmitted through chain-like spread via damaged mucous membranes or open skin wounds. After being bitten by an animal, it is important to immediately wash the wound with soap and water, disinfect the wound, and ideally receive a rabies vaccine within 24 hours to prevent the worst-case scenario.