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Positive exposure to rabies
About 2 years ago I was attacked and bitten by a bobcat that tested positive for rabies. The bobcat charged at me jumping at my face and neck..I put my hand up to protect my face and hand and ended up with about 8 bites to my hand. I went through the rabies shots and spent 2 weeks in the hospital on IV antibiotics due to a infection. I then was on IV antibiotics for 3 more weeks at home. Is there any way I Could still get rabies ?? If Im exposed again do I have to go through all the shots again ? Are the rabies shots a guarantee I wouldnt get rabies then or now. I sure dont want to go through this ever again..the first rabies shots I got i I had 8 of them at one time !!
Hi...thanks SO much for the info on rabies vaccinations. I do probably suffer from PTSD. For a long time I could not even go outside. Then it got to where I could go in the yard. Now..I walk but I always have a walking cane with me. Im terrified I will run into another rabid bobcat that will attack and bite me again. I am already being treated for depression and anxiety..I will mention it to the person that follows me. Thanks again for the info !!
From the National Network for Immunization:
Effectiveness of the Vaccine
There are no controlled trials of rabies vaccine. Among persons who had been bitten by an animal that was proven to be rabid and who received both HRIG and a full course of one of these modern rabies vaccines there have been no cases of rabies. Previously immunized people still must receive two additional doses of the vaccine if exposed to the virus, and the vaccine is almost 100% effective in these cases as well.
Although all rabies vaccines licensed in the U.S. induce protective antibody levels after three doses in nearly 100% of recipients, it is important to complete the dose schedules recommended for individual circumstances (see Dose Schedule). Previously, a 5-dose vaccine schedule was recommended but the dose that was given at 28 days is no longer felt to be necessary.
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Looks like you have nothing to worry about but I do wonder whether you are suffering from PTSD from this attack.
Effectiveness of the Vaccine
There are no controlled trials of rabies vaccine. Among persons who had been bitten by an animal that was proven to be rabid and who received both HRIG and a full course of one of these modern rabies vaccines there have been no cases of rabies. Previously immunized people still must receive two additional doses of the vaccine if exposed to the virus, and the vaccine is almost 100% effective in these cases as well.
Although all rabies vaccines licensed in the U.S. induce protective antibody levels after three doses in nearly 100% of recipients, it is important to complete the dose schedules recommended for individual circumstances (see Dose Schedule). Previously, a 5-dose vaccine schedule was recommended but the dose that was given at 28 days is no longer felt to be necessary.
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Looks like you have nothing to worry about but I do wonder whether you are suffering from PTSD from this attack.
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