HRIG - where is it?

jackbird · Oct 3rd, 2009, 02:26

Hi -

I have tried to read through most of the threads on rabies..however I several questions that do not seem to have been answered. 1. - Where can HRIG (Human Rabies Immune Globulin) be found in norhtern India? 2. How long after exposure does HRIG need to be administrated into the wound for it to be effective? I know ASAP - but at want point does it become ineffective?

Just to give you a little background - my boyfriend and I will be in India for three weeks in Delhi and Rajastan - we have decided NOT to do the rabies pre-exposure vaccine. Our travel doctor told us that in case of exposure we need to get to the Candian clinic in Kathmandu, Nepal as soon as possible...Is this really the closet place to get it?

Thanks for your help.

Mod Note:
Your duplicate post in another thread has been deleted. Please do not write the same message twice. Thanks.

made_in_india · Oct 3rd, 2009, 10:50

Unfortunately, India is one country that still depends heavily on the Equine version of the antibody. HRIG would be very difficult to find, that is if it is available at all. I don't know about Rajastha (except for maybe Jaipur), but in Delhi you still might have a chance of finding it. I would recommend checking with some of the bigger hospitals like AIIMS, Fortis, MAX, Apollo etc. All of them have webistes and you can find contact info. there.

Btw why don't you take the pre-exposure vaccination anyway?

jackbird · Oct 3rd, 2009, 11:30

Thanks for the info. The price was the main factor (I think we were quoted $400 for the three shots by our travel doctor), but after already worrying about it for several days (before even arriving) I might go ahead and get the pre-exposure vaccine. I was thinking if I knew exactly were to get the HRIG I would feel better about not getting the pre-exposure shots.....but I have already created these final count down situations in my head where I am attempting to locate the HRIG and then end up dying in the streets (a little OCD and not how rabies works - I know)!

Nick-H · Oct 3rd, 2009, 18:07

You'r doctor told you to go to Nepal if you get bitten by dog in India?

Get another doc: the man is a nutter.

cityMONK · Oct 3rd, 2009, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

You'r doctor told you to go to Nepal if you get bitten by dog in India?

Get another doc: the man is a nutter.

Nick-H · Oct 3rd, 2009, 18:56

Thanks...

But isn't it one of the most stupid pieces of medical advice we ever saw here?

A bite from a rabid dog is a death sentence. Minutes count. Time to go direct to the hospital, certainly not the travel agent!

cityMONK · Oct 3rd, 2009, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Thanks...

But isn't it one of the most stupid pieces of medical advice we ever saw here?

A bite from a rabid dog is a death sentence. Minutes count. Time to go direct to the hospital, certainly not the travel agent!

I am still laughing.
oh yes very stupid advice indeed.may be doc was refering to some online map and for north india center, must have had flashed nepal.

Traveling from Jaipur to kathmandu is any way going to take two days consider any mode of transport.

jackbird · Oct 4th, 2009, 05:21

Right - but if you go to an Indian hospital and you haven't had the pre-exposure shots and they don't have HRIG - which from everything I have read they probably won't - you are screwed. If you get bitten or scratched by a rabid dog and you haven't had the pre-exposure shots you have to have the HRIG which is aparently unavailable in any (the large majority) India hospitals or clinics.

So I guess I am answering my own question - get the pre-exposure shots and then you can get care in any clinic in India as they most likely have the vaccine which is all that needed after starting the series.

In the travel doctor's defense he said the closest place that most definately has the HRIG is the Candian clinic.

Nick-H · Oct 4th, 2009, 15:42

jackbird, most visitors to India, and even many of us that live here, do not see a need for rabies pre-exposure shots, although it is on my list since I got cats (the cats are innoculated against rabies) I still don't feel it to be urgent.

I still wonder at your doctor's supposed knowledge of the stocks of hospitals, both private and government, in this vast country and from so far away --- but then I don't know him, his background, qualifications or experience.

Whilst I'm no expert, not even an amateur one, on rabies vaccines, I do feel that, should I ever need it, I'm really not going to care where it came from, just that there is a good chance it will save my life.

cityMONK · Oct 4th, 2009, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

jackbird, most visitors to India, and even many of us that live here, do not see a need for rabies pre-exposure shots, .

I understand no where in world people take such precautions, only those in trade of Hazardous activities like wildlife or muncipality staff engaged in catching stray animals.

Without any offence, Can i ask from OP why he feels threatned from street dogs and monkeys.I hope he does not have some wild plans on indian stray dogs.

jackbird · Oct 5th, 2009, 05:19

Hi Citimonk -

I have no wild plans with Indian Street Dogs....there are several threads that talk about the danger of rabies and India. I have never been to India therefore have only been influenced by the various stories on this forum...there are several about being attacked by monkey's, nipped by street dogs, etc. As there are numerous threads about this very same subject I would assume it is not a uncommon to be worried about rabies. India has the highest amount of deaths from rabies every year in the world. The threads in conjuntion with Old Yeller - have perhaps made me perhaps more concerned than I should be.

Nick - glad to hear that this is not a pressing concern amoung those living in India and appreciate your info. I do feel like you have misunderstood be a little bit though - I am not concerned about where the HRIG has come from - mainly about if it is available. Everyhing I have researched, contrary to common sense, says MOST Indian hospitals do NOT have the neccessary meds if you do not have pre-exposure shots. After doing a bit of research there appears to be a worldwide shortage of HRIG (neccessary if you haven't had the pre-exposure to combat rabies) and for whatever reason it is especially hard to find in India. I am not an expert either, but was hoping someone had some concrete info about what hospitals in Delhi and Rajastan had it as it is most definatley not available in every hospital.

Anyway - I appreciate both of your help/advice and will take into consideration.

jackbird · Oct 5th, 2009, 05:19

Whoops sorry accidently posted this twice - didn't want the moderator to get mad...

Nick-H · Oct 5th, 2009, 16:59

Well, when I hear about world-wide shortages, I should move the pre-exposure shots up my priority list, but I do live here, and I have cats, and my cats quite regularly come home with marks of dog bites...

I don;t worry about dogs, though, although I avoid them at night, and there are no monkeys here.

Lindsay · Oct 11th, 2009, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by cityMONK

I understand no where in world people take such precautions, only those in trade of Hazardous activities like wildlife or muncipality staff engaged in catching stray animals.

In fact, my dear friend who grew up in Bolivia told me recently that all of her friends in La Paz got the pre-exposure rabies shots before starting school. Granted, this was a tony set of students, but I guess that means that in some parts of the world, those who can afford to take such precautions, do.

I'd never thought about getting the rabies vaccine before reading this thread, but now the OP has made me nervous!

R Murli Dhar · Oct 11th, 2009, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay

In fact, my dear friend who grew up in Bolivia told me recently that all of her friends in La Paz got the pre-exposure rabies shots before starting school. Granted, this was a tony set of students, but I guess that means that in some parts of the world, those who can afford to take such precautions, do.

I'd never thought about getting the rabies vaccine before reading this thread, but now the OP has made me nervous!

Hi, in India, in all rpt all cities, you get Human Diploid Vaccines for Rabies, in case you get bitten by a dog. So don't bother. You take three/5 shots. All small towns too have it. So don't worry about the furry legged creatures. Worry more about how to enjoy y

Oct 3rd, 2009, 02:26	#1
jackbird Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: California Posts: 5	HRIG - where is it? Hi - I have tried to read through most of the threads on rabies..however I several questions that do not seem to have been answered. 1. - Where can HRIG (Human Rabies Immune Globulin) be found in norhtern India? 2. How long after exposure does HRIG need to be administrated into the wound for it to be effective? I know ASAP - but at want point does it become ineffective? Just to give you a little background - my boyfriend and I will be in India for three weeks in Delhi and Rajastan - we have decided NOT to do the rabies pre-exposure vaccine. Our travel doctor told us that in case of exposure we need to get to the Candian clinic in Kathmandu, Nepal as soon as possible...Is this really the closet place to get it? Thanks for your help. Mod Note: Your duplicate post in another thread has been deleted. Please do not write the same message twice. Thanks. Last edited by theyyamdancer : Oct 3rd, 2009 at 13:30.

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Oct 3rd, 2009, 10:50	#2
made_in_india Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 2	Unfortunately, India is one country that still depends heavily on the Equine version of the antibody. HRIG would be very difficult to find, that is if it is available at all. I don't know about Rajastha (except for maybe Jaipur), but in Delhi you still might have a chance of finding it. I would recommend checking with some of the bigger hospitals like AIIMS, Fortis, MAX, Apollo etc. All of them have webistes and you can find contact info. there. Btw why don't you take the pre-exposure vaccination anyway?

Oct 3rd, 2009, 11:30	#3
jackbird Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: California Posts: 5	Thanks for the info. The price was the main factor (I think we were quoted $400 for the three shots by our travel doctor), but after already worrying about it for several days (before even arriving) I might go ahead and get the pre-exposure vaccine. I was thinking if I knew exactly were to get the HRIG I would feel better about not getting the pre-exposure shots.....but I have already created these final count down situations in my head where I am attempting to locate the HRIG and then end up dying in the streets (a little OCD and not how rabies works - I know)!

Oct 3rd, 2009, 18:07	#4
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	You'r doctor told you to go to Nepal if you get bitten by dog in India? Get another doc: the man is a nutter.

Oct 3rd, 2009, 18:56	#6
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	Thanks... But isn't it one of the most stupid pieces of medical advice we ever saw here? A bite from a rabid dog is a death sentence. Minutes count. Time to go direct to the hospital, certainly not the travel agent!

Oct 4th, 2009, 05:21	#8
jackbird Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: California Posts: 5	Right - but if you go to an Indian hospital and you haven't had the pre-exposure shots and they don't have HRIG - which from everything I have read they probably won't - you are screwed. If you get bitten or scratched by a rabid dog and you haven't had the pre-exposure shots you have to have the HRIG which is aparently unavailable in any (the large majority) India hospitals or clinics. So I guess I am answering my own question - get the pre-exposure shots and then you can get care in any clinic in India as they most likely have the vaccine which is all that needed after starting the series. In the travel doctor's defense he said the closest place that most definately has the HRIG is the Candian clinic.

Oct 4th, 2009, 15:42	#9
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	jackbird, most visitors to India, and even many of us that live here, do not see a need for rabies pre-exposure shots, although it is on my list since I got cats (the cats are innoculated against rabies) I still don't feel it to be urgent. I still wonder at your doctor's supposed knowledge of the stocks of hospitals, both private and government, in this vast country and from so far away --- but then I don't know him, his background, qualifications or experience. Whilst I'm no expert, not even an amateur one, on rabies vaccines, I do feel that, should I ever need it, I'm really not going to care where it came from, just that there is a good chance it will save my life.

Oct 5th, 2009, 05:19	#11
jackbird Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: California Posts: 5	Hi Citimonk - I have no wild plans with Indian Street Dogs....there are several threads that talk about the danger of rabies and India. I have never been to India therefore have only been influenced by the various stories on this forum...there are several about being attacked by monkey's, nipped by street dogs, etc. As there are numerous threads about this very same subject I would assume it is not a uncommon to be worried about rabies. India has the highest amount of deaths from rabies every year in the world. The threads in conjuntion with Old Yeller - have perhaps made me perhaps more concerned than I should be. Nick - glad to hear that this is not a pressing concern amoung those living in India and appreciate your info. I do feel like you have misunderstood be a little bit though - I am not concerned about where the HRIG has come from - mainly about if it is available. Everyhing I have researched, contrary to common sense, says MOST Indian hospitals do NOT have the neccessary meds if you do not have pre-exposure shots. After doing a bit of research there appears to be a worldwide shortage of HRIG (neccessary if you haven't had the pre-exposure to combat rabies) and for whatever reason it is especially hard to find in India. I am not an expert either, but was hoping someone had some concrete info about what hospitals in Delhi and Rajastan had it as it is most definatley not available in every hospital. Anyway - I appreciate both of your help/advice and will take into consideration.

Oct 5th, 2009, 16:59	#13
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	Well, when I hear about world-wide shortages, I should move the pre-exposure shots up my priority list, but I do live here, and I have cats, and my cats quite regularly come home with marks of dog bites... I don;t worry about dogs, though, although I avoid them at night, and there are no monkeys here.