06-07-2026, 01:01 PM
SECTION 1 — About the Bite
Q1. A dog bit me but did not break the skin. Do I still need a vaccine?
If the skin is completely unbroken and intact, it is Category I exposure and no vaccine is required. However, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water immediately. If you are unsure, visit a doctor.
Q2. A dog licked my hand. Can I get rabies?
If the skin is unbroken, licking does not spread rabies. If the animal licked an open wound, cut, scratch, eyes, or mouth, consult a doctor immediately as this is Category III exposure.
Q3. A puppy or small dog bit me. Do I still need the vaccine?
Yes. Size or age does not matter. Even a puppy can transmit rabies. Always treat any bite seriously.
Q4. The dog that bit me looks healthy. Do I still need a vaccine?
Yes. A rabid dog may appear normal for days or weeks. You cannot identify rabies just by looking at the animal.
Q5. A cat scratched me. Does that need treatment?
Yes. Treat it the same as a dog bite — wash the wound and visit a doctor immediately.
Q6. A monkey bit me. What should I do?
Treat it as Category II or III exposure depending on severity. Wash immediately and go to a hospital without delay.
Q7. I was bitten several days ago and did not get vaccinated. Is it too late?
No. Start the vaccine as soon as possible. Do not delay further.
Q8. The dog that bit me has died. What does it mean?
This increases suspicion of rabies. Start or continue vaccination immediately and inform your doctor.
SECTION 2 — About the Vaccine
Q9. How many injections are needed after a dog bite?
Q10. What is the difference between IM and ID injection?
Q11. I missed one dose. What should I do?
Take the missed dose as soon as possible and continue the schedule. Do not restart the course.
Q12. Can I take the vaccine at a different hospital?
Yes. Carry your vaccination record and continue from where you left off.
Q13. Is the vaccine safe? Any side effects?
Yes, it is safe. Mild effects may include:
Q14. Can a pregnant woman take the vaccine?
Yes. Rabies is fatal, so vaccination is necessary during pregnancy.
Q15. Can children receive the vaccine?
Yes. It is safe and given in the same schedule as adults.
Q16. I took the vaccine before. Do I need the full course again?
If previously vaccinated, only 2 booster doses (Day 0 and Day 3) are needed. If unsure, the doctor may advise a full course.
SECTION 3 — About RIG (Rabies Immunoglobulin)
Q17. What is RIG and why is it given?
RIG gives immediate protection and is used in severe (Category III) exposures. It is injected around the wound.
Q18. RIG is not available. What should I do?
Q19. Is RIG the same as the vaccine?
No.
SECTION 4 — Cost and Availability
Q20. Is the rabies vaccine free in India?
Yes. It is free at all government hospitals, PHCs, and CHCs.
Q21. What is the cost in private hospitals?
Requirement
Approx Cost (INR)
Single IM dose
₹350 – ₹600
Full IM course
₹1,750 – ₹3,000+
Intradermal course
₹800 – ₹1,500
RIG
₹1,500 – ₹4,000+
Q22. Which vaccine brands are available?
Rabipur, Verorab, Abhayrab, Indirab — all are safe and effective.
SECTION 5 — Workplace and Legal
Q23. Bite at workplace — who is responsible?
Employer is responsible under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923. Treatment must be arranged and funded.
Q24. Who needs pre-exposure vaccination?
SECTION 6 — Prevention
Q25. Can rabies be cured after symptoms start?
No. It is almost always fatal. Prevention is the only cure.
Q26. Should pets be vaccinated?
Yes. Dogs and cats must be vaccinated every year.
Q27. How to identify a rabid animal?
Possible signs:
Q28. What to do if you see a suspicious stray animal?
Reference Links
Q1. A dog bit me but did not break the skin. Do I still need a vaccine?
If the skin is completely unbroken and intact, it is Category I exposure and no vaccine is required. However, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water immediately. If you are unsure, visit a doctor.
Q2. A dog licked my hand. Can I get rabies?
If the skin is unbroken, licking does not spread rabies. If the animal licked an open wound, cut, scratch, eyes, or mouth, consult a doctor immediately as this is Category III exposure.
Q3. A puppy or small dog bit me. Do I still need the vaccine?
Yes. Size or age does not matter. Even a puppy can transmit rabies. Always treat any bite seriously.
Q4. The dog that bit me looks healthy. Do I still need a vaccine?
Yes. A rabid dog may appear normal for days or weeks. You cannot identify rabies just by looking at the animal.
Q5. A cat scratched me. Does that need treatment?
Yes. Treat it the same as a dog bite — wash the wound and visit a doctor immediately.
Q6. A monkey bit me. What should I do?
Treat it as Category II or III exposure depending on severity. Wash immediately and go to a hospital without delay.
Q7. I was bitten several days ago and did not get vaccinated. Is it too late?
No. Start the vaccine as soon as possible. Do not delay further.
Q8. The dog that bit me has died. What does it mean?
This increases suspicion of rabies. Start or continue vaccination immediately and inform your doctor.
SECTION 2 — About the Vaccine
Q9. How many injections are needed after a dog bite?
- Intramuscular (IM): 5 doses on Day 0, 3, 7, 14, 28
- Intradermal (ID): 4 visits on Day 0, 3, 7, 28
Q10. What is the difference between IM and ID injection?
- IM: Given deep into the muscle, one full dose
- ID: Given under the skin, two small doses per visit
Q11. I missed one dose. What should I do?
Take the missed dose as soon as possible and continue the schedule. Do not restart the course.
Q12. Can I take the vaccine at a different hospital?
Yes. Carry your vaccination record and continue from where you left off.
Q13. Is the vaccine safe? Any side effects?
Yes, it is safe. Mild effects may include:
- Pain or swelling at the injection site
- Mild fever or headache
- Tiredness
Q14. Can a pregnant woman take the vaccine?
Yes. Rabies is fatal, so vaccination is necessary during pregnancy.
Q15. Can children receive the vaccine?
Yes. It is safe and given in the same schedule as adults.
Q16. I took the vaccine before. Do I need the full course again?
If previously vaccinated, only 2 booster doses (Day 0 and Day 3) are needed. If unsure, the doctor may advise a full course.
SECTION 3 — About RIG (Rabies Immunoglobulin)
Q17. What is RIG and why is it given?
RIG gives immediate protection and is used in severe (Category III) exposures. It is injected around the wound.
Q18. RIG is not available. What should I do?
- Ask for referral
- Escalate if needed
- Start vaccine immediately
- Private hospitals may have RIG
Q19. Is RIG the same as the vaccine?
No.
- Vaccine builds long-term immunity
- RIG gives immediate short-term protection
SECTION 4 — Cost and Availability
Q20. Is the rabies vaccine free in India?
Yes. It is free at all government hospitals, PHCs, and CHCs.
Q21. What is the cost in private hospitals?
Requirement
Approx Cost (INR)
Single IM dose
₹350 – ₹600
Full IM course
₹1,750 – ₹3,000+
Intradermal course
₹800 – ₹1,500
RIG
₹1,500 – ₹4,000+
Q22. Which vaccine brands are available?
Rabipur, Verorab, Abhayrab, Indirab — all are safe and effective.
SECTION 5 — Workplace and Legal
Q23. Bite at workplace — who is responsible?
Employer is responsible under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923. Treatment must be arranged and funded.
Q24. Who needs pre-exposure vaccination?
- Veterinarians
- Farmers
- Slaughterhouse workers
- Forest staff
- Lab workers
- Animal handlers
SECTION 6 — Prevention
Q25. Can rabies be cured after symptoms start?
No. It is almost always fatal. Prevention is the only cure.
Q26. Should pets be vaccinated?
Yes. Dogs and cats must be vaccinated every year.
Q27. How to identify a rabid animal?
Possible signs:
- Aggression
- Excess salivation
- Difficulty walking
- Unusual behaviour
Q28. What to do if you see a suspicious stray animal?
- Do not approach
- Keep distance
- Inform local authorities
Reference Links
- WHO Rabies Fact Sheet
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies
- WHO Position Paper
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-wer9316
- NCDC Rabies Page
https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/index1.php?lan...30&lid=348
- National Rabies Control Programme
https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/index1.php?lan...29&lid=347
- Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923
https://labour.gov.in/employees-compensation-act-1923
- ICD-11 Rabies
https://icd.who.int/browse/2025-01/mms/en#257012387