Rabies is a rare but very serious infection of the brain and nerves. It's usually caught from the bite or scratch of an infected animal, most often a dog. Rabies is found throughout the world, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. It's not found in the UK, except in a small number of wild bats. Rabies is almost always
fatal once symptoms appear, but treatment before this is very effective. There's also a vaccine for people at risk of being infected. You should consider getting vaccinated against rabies if you're travelling to an area of the world where rabies is common and: Visit a GP or travel clinic if you think you may need the vaccine. Most people will have to pay for the rabies vaccine if it's needed for protection while travelling. Even if you have been vaccinated, you
should still take precautions to avoid coming into contact with rabies if you're travelling in an area where rabies is found, and get medical advice straight away if you have been bitten or scratched. Some people may need the rabies vaccine because they could come into contact with rabies through their work. If you think this applies to you, speak to your employer or occupational health provider. Find out more about the rabies vaccination How to avoid being bitten or scratchedAll mammals (including monkeys) can carry rabies, but it's most common in:
Animals can spread the infection if they bite or scratch you or, or in rare cases, if they lick an open wound or their saliva gets into your mouth or eyes. Rabies is not spread through unbroken skin or between people. While travelling in an area where rabies is a risk:
If you're travelling with a child, make sure they're aware of the dangers and that they should tell you if they have been bitten, scratched or licked by an animal. Check them for any wounds if they come into contact with an animal. For information about areas where rabies is a risk, see:
What to do if you have been bitten or scratchedIf you have been bitten or scratched by an animal in an area with a risk of rabies:
If this happens while you're abroad, get local medical help immediately. Do not wait until you have returned to the UK. If you have already returned to the UK without getting medical advice, it's still a good idea to get help, even if it's been several weeks since you were bitten or scratched. It's unlikely you have been infected with rabies, but it's best to be safe. Post-exposure treatment is nearly 100% effective if it's started before any symptoms of rabies appear. Treatment after a bite or scratchIf you have been bitten, scratched or licked by an animal that might have rabies, you may need specialist medical treatment to stop you getting rabies. This is called post-exposure treatment. Post-exposure treatment involves:
The post-exposure treatment you need may be slightly different if you have a weakened immune system. Treatment should be started quickly, ideally within a few hours of being bitten or scratched. But it's often safe to delay treatment until the next day if the vaccine or immunoglobulin need to be ordered in by your doctor. Symptoms of rabiesWithout treatment, the symptoms of rabies will usually start after 3 to 12 weeks, although they can start sooner or much later than this. The first symptoms can include:
Other symptoms start a few days later, such as:
Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. In these cases, treatment will focus on making the person as comfortable as possible. Rabies in the UKThe UK has been rabies-free since the beginning of the 20th century, except for a rabies-like virus in a small number of wild bats. The risk of human infection from bats is thought to be low. People who regularly handle bats are most at risk. There's only been 1 recorded case of someone catching rabies from a bat in the UK. It's also rare for infected bats to spread rabies to other animals. But if you find a dead or injured bat, do not touch it. Wear thick gloves if you need to move it. If you find a dead or injured bat, you should report it and get advice by calling:
If you have been bitten by a bat in the UK, go to a GP surgery, your nearest urgent care centre or your nearest hospital to get help and start post-exposure treatment. GOV.UK: Rabies risks from bat bites. Page last reviewed: 09 January 2020 How long can you go without a rabies shot after being bitten?There is no time limit regarding the administration of PEP after an exposure. In this case it is still appropriate to initiate PEP. Administration of both human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and four doses of rabies vaccine is recommended regardless of the time elapsed since the exposure.
When is it too late for rabies vaccine?Once a person develops rabies symptoms it is too late to vaccinate against rabies!
How long after bite can you get rabies?The first symptoms of rabies can appear from a few days to more than a year after the bite happens. At first, there's a tingling, prickling, or itching feeling around the bite area. A person also might have flu-like symptoms such as a fever, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, nausea, and tiredness.
How soon after exposure do you need rabies shots?The first shot is given immediately after exposure to a rabid animal, then again three days later, seven days later, and 14 days later. The person should also receive another shot called rabies immune globulin (RIG).
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