Rabies vaccination - is it worth it?

Kingstonian

Lie down and play dead ...

It's so counter-intuitive - I just feel I'd rather see someone else give it a try first!

Nick-H

With a cat that might work. Doesn't move, boring.

With a dog? Hmmm... Got me some bones to chew now!

...just my theorising.

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ebby

Play dead in front of a dog afflicted with rabies maynot be such a good idea! I think i will skip it!

Nick-H

I think I'll skip the entire dog --- if I can!

PeakXV

Use only a rope to skip not a dog - no matter how long, thin &/or malnutritioned it may be.

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

abfab

I can shed some light here on the local wound injections.

Rabies does NOT primarily infect you through contact and transmision via your blood at all.

What actually happens is that the virus initially contaminates the site of the wound, and then from there it finds its way into the nerve cells and nerve fibres approximate to the wound.

It then develops very slowly within the nerve fibres and then gradually over time spreads along inside the nerve fibres from the wound upwards through the body towards the spine and on to the brain. Eventually, the virus reaches the brain where it spreads through the brain tissue and kills you.

It is this very slow development and passage of the virus from the wound site, though the central nervous system to the brain that accounts for the characteristic long time between being bitten, and the eventual development of the full blown symptoms, which only occur once the virus infects the brain tissue possibly weeks or months after the initial infection.

Paresthesia (pins and needles) at the site of the wound a few days after being bitten is often the very first symptom of a rabies infection.

The reason for the immunoglobulin injections given directly into and around the site of the wound, is to try and kill the virus before it can establish itself in the nerve fibres close to the wound, and to try to prevent it from spreading from the wound site through the central nervous system before vaccine generated antibodies have a chance to start to have an effect.

This is also the reason why vigorous wound washing is highly adviced, to try and get as much of the virus out of the wound before it establishes itself in the nerve fibres.

All this also explains why bites to the face and neck usually result in death much more quickly than bites to the extemities.

Hope this helps

PeakXV

Great explanation & post abfab - I'm seriously considering printing this out and sticking it in my travel first-aid kit .... because based on some of the first-hand, reported treatment methods experienced for this virus in India - a little reminder may well be in order to the medic of concern.

Munivar

hmmmm...I think this 'wisdom' is known to many even though they don't understand the mechanics of the infection. We have cases of stray dogs in the farm and I was always told to try and kick the dog or try to use hands and grab its throat and its ok to get bit on your hands than running and getting bit somewhere else.

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Munivar

Our dog in the farm used to do that. Very smart one too. It won't chase those on motorbikes, but will chase the ones in bicycles. The poor guy can't pedal faster to outrun the dog and if he gets down to fight the dog, the dog will run away by the time he gets down, pulls up the stand and picks up a stone

Btw, lots of good advice there....I have used many while walking in the nights to my home (India home). I usually slow down pretend to pick a stone and feint a throw. If that doesn't stop I walk backwards slowly watching the distance between me and them and if they get any closer, I pick couple of real stone and one warning shot and if that doesn't do....then its WAR...missiles will be launched with precision guided munition

gvdv

PeakXV,
I'm also in Canada, and am going to India for the first time in November. I would appreciate being able to talk to you, so could you PM me?

Thanks,

machadinha

(Sorry for this standardized response): New members do not have the PM (Private Messaging) function yet, neither to send nor receive. It takes a certain nr. of posts + period of membership.

You could create a free disposable webmail address for the purpose, then post it here. Or discuss what you need on the board. Be aware anyone could contact you on that address pretending to be the other. Posting your private email address is not advised, for all the obvious reasons.

Aside from that, do kindly note a board like this is designed for public discussion. If people want to get in touch with you in private is up to them. If you'd like to know about travel in India: That's what this board is all about Just browse the forums a little and see what's on offer.

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Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

grikoo

Just weighing in here on the rabies issue-

I personally think EVERYONE should be vaccinated against EVERYTHING, especially if you're a frequent traveller. Why the hell not?

Finances are the only legitimate concern as far as I can tell, and most vaccines can be gotten overseas for a fraction of the cost in the US or EU.

I know you can get the rabies vaccine in Katmandu for about 35$, much cheaper than the $450 in the US.

ebby

We must look at the side effects before taking a vaccination, weigh the pros and cons and the country you are travelling to before deciding. For eg. there is no need to take yellow fever vaccine while visiting India. Cost should play a lesser role in my opinion.

grikoo

My apologies, I meant everything that one might contract in a given area, not everything in the whole world.

I agree that side effects should be considered, but now that live vaccines aren't really used any longer the incidence of severe side effects is extremely low.

Doing some research on the particular vaccine (not just for which disease, but more importantly which type of vaccine) is especially important if you're getting them overseas, as some of them are more likely to cause side effects than others.