Question 1

how long does a rabies shot protect you?

Accepted Answer

2 years: The current Rabies Vaccine series of 4 shots should give immunity for 2 years. Persons at high risk of animal bites should see a primary care doctor or infectious disease doctor to get the most current information and to plan when the next rabies vaccinations should be given.

Question 2

i had a 4 shot post-exposure rabies regimen around june of 2016. i didn't get the immunoglobin shot. am i still protected?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Workers in high risk situations take the series before exposure but are advised to get boosters every 2 yrs to maintain protective antibody levels. The CDC offers mixed messages on the issue. Since there is no treatment for rabies, 2 boosters given after a valid exposure are usually recommended even in this interval. The issue then becomes what is a valid exposure.

Question 3

for how many months does 3 shots of anti-rabies gives protection?

Accepted Answer

24 months: The preexposure immunization consisting of three doses provides protection for at least 2 years.

Question 4

post exposure rabies series unfinished after 3 rv shots due to animal being cleared and sent home. am i still protected like pre exposure 3 shots?

Accepted Answer

Yes but...: "preexposure rabies shot" is indicated for individuals in high risk group, including veterinarian and animal handlers. And certain laboratory workers.  Duration of protection is limited and booster immunization is required.

Question 5

i had a rabies booster shot last jul 19 for day 0. then, i was suppose to get the day 3 shot on jul 22. unfortunately, i got the day 3 shot on jul 26. will i still get the protection i need even if i got the last dose later than the orig. date? thnks?

Accepted Answer

: Yes, the Rabies vaccine is very effective as long as you got the entire series of shots, the spacing is less important. (especially when the period off is only 3 days.)

Question 6

i had all my rabies shots 8 years ago and recently was exposed to another bat i finished my 2 doses of pep & was possibly bitten again am i protected?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Every post-exposure rabies protocol that I'm familiar with requires 4 shots the first time you are vaccinated. If what you are saying is that you received all 4 shots 8 years ago and 2 more shots recently for another exposure then that would be sufficient to keep you protected for a couple of years although people in high risk jobs are boosted as often as every 6 months which may be overkill.

Question 7

is a tetanus shot (tdap) supposed to protect from rabies?
hi. i may have been bitten by an unsupervised dog at a park. i got a tetanus shot (tdap) in 2014 and now its 2020. am i ok or is there a different shot for rabies?

Accepted Answer

No: TdaP shots stimulate protection for Tetanus, diphtheria &amp; pertussis (whooping cough). You are likely protected from tetanus if you cleaned out the wound but a booster may be needed if it was left dirty for a while. Rabies is a virus with a separate vaccine/hyper immune globulin. Rabies is a locality based issue. I would contact your local health department to see if rabies shots are needed.

Question 8

i had a facet joint shot for low back pain on feb 8th which consists of steroid. would that have suppressed the antibodies i had from earlier rabies vaccines and make me less protected? would my immune systems response to newer infections be slower?

Accepted Answer

: A  focal "steroid" injection for facet problems will not suppress the immune system, nor alter T or B memory cells.  You will neither be more or less resistant to "newer infections".  The adaptive immune system, antibodies, plasma cells, etc., will be unaffected by your injection.   But if you are worried, discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Question 9

i had a facet joint shot for low back pain a month ago which consists of steroid. would that suppress antibodies i had from earlier rabies vaccines and make me less protected? would my immune systems response to new infections be slow? for how long?

Accepted Answer

: Local injection of steroids does not cause significant side effects of taking oral or IV steroids. It is not likely to lower the immune system

Question 10

i was bitten by a stray kitten that appeared healthy. i was vaccinated against rabies (3 shots) 6 years ago. am i protected or do i need a prophylaxis?

Accepted Answer

Regional issue/maybe: The vaccine series is considered effective protection for 2 years from initial completion. You may have some residual antibodies but they may not be at a protective level. Rabies activity among animals/type is reported to the state. If there is rabid animals in your region the county health department or local ER would provide you with the recommendations for your exposure.

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Doctor answers about:

How long does a rabies shot protect you

A member asked:

How long does a rabies shot protect you?

A member asked:

I had a 4 shot post-exposure rabies regimen around june of 2016. i didn't get the immunoglobin shot. am i still protected?

A member asked:

For how many months does 3 shots of anti-rabies gives protection?

A member asked:

Post exposure rabies series unfinished after 3 rv shots due to animal being cleared and sent home. am i still protected like pre exposure 3 shots?

A member asked:

I had a rabies booster shot last jul 19 for day 0. then, i was suppose to get the day 3 shot on jul 22. unfortunately, i got the day 3 shot on jul 26. will i still get the protection i need even if i got the last dose later than the orig. date? thnks?

A member asked:

I had all my rabies shots 8 years ago and recently was exposed to another bat i finished my 2 doses of pep & was possibly bitten again am i protected?

A member asked:

Is a tetanus shot (tdap) supposed to protect from rabies? hi. i may have been bitten by an unsupervised dog at a park. i got a tetanus shot (tdap) in 2014 and now its 2020. am i ok or is there a different shot for rabies?

A member asked:

I had a facet joint shot for low back pain on feb 8th which consists of steroid. would that have suppressed the antibodies i had from earlier rabies vaccines and make me less protected? would my immune systems response to newer infections be slower?

A member asked:

I had a facet joint shot for low back pain a month ago which consists of steroid. would that suppress antibodies i had from earlier rabies vaccines and make me less protected? would my immune systems response to new infections be slow? for how long?

A member asked:

I was bitten by a stray kitten that appeared healthy. i was vaccinated against rabies (3 shots) 6 years ago. am i protected or do i need a prophylaxis?

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