Should I get vaccinated if bitten by a household rabbit?
In theory, bites from mammals may lead to rabies virus infection, but in real life, no case of rabies virus infection caused by rabbit bites has been found. After being bitten, it is still necessary to rinse the wound repeatedly with running water and then disinfect it with iodophor. If bitten or scratched by a cat or dog, it is imperative to receive a rabies vaccine promptly.
No rabies vaccine is required for being bitten by a rabbit, as rabbits do not carry the rabies virus. However, it is necessary to disinfect the wound repeatedly with iodophor or 75% medical alcohol to prevent infection from other bacteria and viruses. Rabies vaccines are primarily used to prevent rabies. They are inactivated vaccines that stimulate the human body to produce antibodies that can eliminate the rabies virus.
Generally, rabies vaccines should be administered within 24 hours of being bitten or bleeding by a dog. Vaccination should occur within 24 hours of the wound being exposed. The sooner the rabies vaccine is administered, the better the effect. Most commonly, a 5-dose injection method is used, but there is also a 4-dose method. The specific 4-dose or 5-dose injection method depends on the rabies vaccine, and different manufacturers may have different injection methods. Please refer to the rabies vaccine's instructions for injection. If the patient is bitten by a rabid dog and wants to achieve a better blocking effect, it is best to combine the injection of rabies immunoglobulin. After being bitten, the wound should be washed immediately with soapy water for 15 minutes, disinfected with iodophor or alcohol, and then the rabies vaccine should be administered as soon as possible at the local CDC or a qualified hospital.
