What is the Treatment for People Exposed to Rabies?
People who have never had rabies immunizations are given a series of six injections: two on the first day and the remaining four given one at a time over the course of one month. Rabies injections (shots) are no longer given in the stomach muscles. The first injection is antibodies to fight the virus, and the rest of the injections are vaccine to ensure long lasting protection. To work best, the series of injections should begin as soon after the bite or scratch as possible. However, if the domestic animal has been captured and can be either quarantined or tested for rabies, some doctors wait until test results come back to determine if treatment is truly necessary.
