Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus
About Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus
Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus is an inactivated rabies vaccine injection used to prevent rabies, a serious and fatal viral infection spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. It is prescribed for people who are at a high risk of exposure to the virus, as well as for emergency treatment after a suspected exposure.
This vaccine is injected as a series of doses on a strict schedule set by your doctor, and completing all doses on time is necessary to ensure full protection. There are no specific food restrictions when receiving Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus, but staying well-hydrated helps support your immune system during vaccination.
Some people may experience mild, temporary side effects like redness or soreness where the shot was given, a mild fever, or muscle aches. If you experience severe reactions, such as hives or difficulty breathing, contact a doctor right away.
Do not receive this vaccine if you have had a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus or to any of its ingredients (excipients) when it is being given as pre-exposure vaccination. However, because rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, post-exposure vaccination should not be withheld after a suspected rabies exposure, even in people with a history of severe allergy. Your healthcare provider will assess the risks and benefits and provide appropriate medical supervision during treatment.
Inform your doctor if you are taking medicines that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy or steroids, which may reduce the vaccine's effectiveness and necessitate close medical monitoring. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to determine the safest schedule for you.
Uses of Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus
Medicinal Benefits
Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus provides reliable, life-saving protection against the rabies virus.
Benefits may include:
- By helping your body produce antibodies quickly, it ensures your immune system is ready to fight off the virus before it can cause harm to your brain and nervous system.
- For travellers, veterinarians, and animal handlers, receiving this vaccine beforehand offers peace of mind and simplifies treatment if an exposure does occur.
- In emergency situations after an animal bite, it acts as a critical line of defence to prevent a fatal infection.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions regarding doses and timing of Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus for optimal results.
- Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus will be administered by a healthcare professional.
- Do not self-administer.
Storage
Side Effects of Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- Mild fever or feeling generally unwell
- Headache or muscle aches
- Mild dizziness or nausea
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction (such as skin rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and trouble breathing)
- High fever
- Tingling, numbness, or unusual muscle weakness in your arms or legs
Drug Warnings
- Check the vaccine before use: Ensure that the healthcare provider inspects the Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus vial before use to confirm there is no discolouration or floating particles.
- Use the correct injection site: Make sure the injection is given in the arm muscle (deltoid) and not the gluteal (buttock) muscle, as injecting it into the buttock can make the vaccine less effective.
- Tell your doctor about a weakened immune system: Tell your doctor if you have a weakened immune system, as you may need blood tests after the series to confirm the vaccine successfully protected you.
- Always treat animal bites as an emergency: Even if you have already received Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus in the past, you must still wash any new animal bite thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes and seek immediate medical attention.
- Complete the full vaccination schedule: Do not skip any doses in the vaccination series, as incomplete schedules may leave you unprotected against rabies.
Drug Interactions
- Corticosteroids and other medicines that suppress the immune system: May lower the body's immune response to Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus, potentially making the vaccine less effective.
- Malaria prevention medications (e.g., chloroquine): May decrease the immune response if Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus is given into the skin (intradermally), so receiving the injection deep into the muscle is recommended.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known if alcohol affects Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant, consult, and seek advice from your doctor before receiving the vaccine.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease tell your doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother before receiving the vaccine.
Driving
cautionIt is not known if Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus affects your ability to drive or operate machinery. Drive only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionLimited information is available regarding the usage of Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus in patients with liver impairment. Let your doctor know if you have liver disease/conditions.
Kidney
cautionLimited information is available regarding the usage of Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus in patients with kidney impairment. Let your doctor know if you have kidney disease/conditions.
Children
safe if prescribedRabies Inactivated Whole Virus can be given safely to children provided it has been prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before and after your injection to help manage mild symptoms like fever or headaches.
- Limit alcohol intake: Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol around the time of your vaccination, as it can weaken your immune response.
- Get enough rest: Rest after your injection to allow your body's immune system to focus its energy on building protection.
- Reduce exposure risk: If you work with animals or travel to high-risk areas, always wear protective clothing and avoid direct contact with wild or stray animals.
Special Advise
Immunosuppressive treatments, including long-term corticosteroid therapy, may interfere with antibody production and cause rabies' failure. It is advisable to perform a serological test 2 to 4 weeks after the last injection.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Rabies: It is a viral disease that causes serious infection, progressive and fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It is transmitted to humans and other animals through close contact with saliva from infected animals (bites, scratches, licks on broken skin and mucous membranes). It has two forms: Furious rabies (characterized by hyperactivity and hallucinations) and Paralytic rabies (characterized by paralysis and coma). Furious rabies symptoms are hyperactivity, excitable behaviour, hydrophobia (fear of water), aerophobia (fear of drafts or fresh air) and death that occurs after a few days due to cardio-respiratory arrest. Paralytic rabies runs a less dramatic and usually longer course than the furious form. Symptoms are muscles gradually becoming paralyzed, starting at the bite or scratch site, a coma slowly develops, and eventually, death occurs.
FAQs
Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus belongs to the category of medicine called immunizing agent used to prevent rabies disease. Rabies is caused by a virus called the rabies virus. It is transmitted to humans and other animals through close contact with saliva from infected animals (bites, scratches, licks on broken skin and mucous membranes).
Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus works by helping the body produce substances (antibodies) that resist infection from viruses causing rabies.
Yes, Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus is safe and potent and can be given to pregnant women. It does not affect fetal development during pregnancy. However, If you are pregnant, inform your doctor before receiving the vaccine.
The common sign and symptoms of rabies in humans include pain or itching at the site of the bite wound, fever, hydrophobia (fear of water), intolerance to noise, bright light or air, irritability and depression, at a later stage, the mere sight of water may provoke spasms in the neck and throat.
Rabies is an infectious disease transmitted from animals to humans, which is caused by a rabies virus. Rabies has two forms: frantic and paralytic. Frantic rabies is the most common form of human rabies.
If you miss a scheduled dose, contact your healthcare provider or clinic immediately. The vaccine requires a precise schedule to build full immunity, and your doctor will help you get back on track safely.
Yes, Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus is safe and approved for use in children of all ages. The dose is typically the same as the adult dose, but it is often injected into the thigh muscle for younger children. Talk to your doctor for specific advice.
For pre-exposure vaccination, protection can last for several years, but booster doses may be needed if you continue to work in high-risk environments. For post-exposure treatment, completing the full series provides long-term peace of mind. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if you need a booster.
It is best to avoid heavy drinking of alcohol around the time you receive Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus. Excessive alcohol can weaken your immune system's ability to respond to the vaccine, which may reduce its effectiveness.
Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus must be injected into the arm muscle (or thigh for infants) because clinical studies show that injecting it into the buttock (gluteal muscle) can lead to lower antibody production due to fat tissue. This makes the vaccine less effective.
No, Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus cannot cause rabies. It is made from killed (inactivated) virus particles that are completely dead and unable to replicate or cause disease.
Yes, washing the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes is a critical first step, but it does not guarantee protection. You must still seek medical care immediately to receive Rabies Inactivated Whole Virus and prevent the virus from spreading. Talk to your doctor.
Any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure from an animal that may have rabies should be assessed by a healthcare professional as soon as possible. This includes exposures from stray or wild animals, bats, or animals showing unusual behaviour. Even if the wound appears small, wash it thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical care immediately. Early treatment is highly effective at preventing rabies before symptoms develop.
Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) contains ready-made antibodies that provide immediate protection while your body develops its own immune response to the vaccine. It is usually recommended for people who have not previously been vaccinated against rabies and have a high-risk (Category III) exposure, such as bites that break the skin, deep scratches, or saliva entering broken skin or mucous membranes. RIG is given only once, as soon as possible after exposure, together with the first dose of the rabies vaccine. Your doctor will determine whether you need RIG based on the type of exposure and your vaccination history.
