Rabies Vaccine

More from Woman's Day
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Reader Question: My family likes to go camping, and we often see bats near our campsite. Should we get the rabies vaccine?

Probably not. In the U.S., rabies is pretty rare. According to the CDC, there are 1 to 2 human cases of rabies per year in the whole country. It's also worth noting that the vaccine is expensive (about $4,200 for the series of shots) and the supply is currently limited. The only people who really need to get vaccinated as a preventive measure are those who frequently work with animals (like veterinarians and animal handlers), rabies research lab workers and spelunkers (cave explorers). Those who plan to travel to places where rabies is common, such as Africa, should also consider it.

Most Popular

People contract rabies when an infected animal bites them. The good news is that you can get the vaccine after being bitten (assuming you're in a populated area and help is nearby). If a bat bites you, clean the wound thoroughly with water or a diluted iodine solution to reduce the likelihood of rabies transmission, and get medical attention right away.

If you're bitten by another type of animal—skunks, raccoons, dogs, cats and ferrets can also carry rabies—you should locate and confine it for 10 days (call animal control if necessary). If the animal remains healthy, you're in the clear. If it becomes sick or dies, it has to be tested for rabies immediately so you know if you should get vaccinated. Another reason to get vaccinated: If you can't locate the animal but noticed that it had rabies symptoms, which include overly aggressive behavior, uncoordinated movement or noticeable hind limb weakness, drooling, and hypersalivation, and if it was making strange sounds.



Most Popular: