A traveller to rural India is bitten by a stray dog. The wound is a deep bite on the hand. He has never received rabies vaccination. He presents to a ...

Question

A traveller to rural India is bitten by a stray dog. The wound is a deep bite on the hand. He has never received rabies vaccination. He presents to a clinic 48 hours after the bite. Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is not available locally. What should be done?

Accepted Answer

Start the rabies vaccine course immediately and attempt to obtain RIG from the nearest referral centre; RIG can still be given up to day 7 after the first vaccine dose

Answer

Wait until RIG is available before starting any treatment

Answer

Only wound washing is needed

Answer

Antibiotics are sufficient

Answer

No treatment is needed as the bite was 48 hours ago

uk-dtmh MCQ (SBA): Rabies PEP When RIG Unavailable

A traveller to rural India is bitten by a stray dog. The wound is a deep bite on the hand. He has never received rabies vaccination. He presents to a clinic 48 hours after the bite. Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is not available locally. What should be done?