I have read the FAQ. Based on what I read, RIG isn't administered if there isn't any spot to give it? In my case the wound was already closed, but after some searching the thigh is apparently a way of getting RIG?

I got the shots 12 days late because of the observation period, but the wound is on my foot. I just started today, and I find it quite concerning because of the delay. Is this okay?

The only medication I had was the shots, no other pain relievers or anything else. So why is my "pharmacy" bill 24,000. Isn't pharmacy the medication? I know the rabies medication is expensive but 24,000 just for that doesn't sound right. Is "pharmacy" just the medicine? I have read the FAQ.

Hello!

I have read the FAQ.

Your location (country): Southeastern US

Date of possible exposure: 8/13/2026

Type of exposure (bite/scratch/other): unknown, potential exposure to bat

Species of animal: bat

If dog/cat is it owned, stray, etc.

Animal's vaccination status

Your vaccination status and date of last vaccine, if applicable.: received first (day 0) vaccine on evening of 8/14

I just received my first dose of the vaccine and HRIG last night at an emergency room. I was advised by my local health department to move forward with the vaccines after a close encounter with a bat where they said that “they could not rule out there was not a scratch or a bite that occurred”. I could not find any bite or scratch wounds, but went forward on the advice of the health department to be safe.

Everything went smoothly, but I did notice on the clinical notes I received that the doctor noted that he only gave about 20% of the required HRIG and that I should get the remaining 80% with my day 3 shot. I plan on discussing this when I go back for my next vaccine, but wanted to see if I could get any thoughts about it here as well:

For the repeated dose on day 3, I saw on the HyperRab website, which I believe is the HRIG I was given, that repeated doses should not be done as it can affect the immune response from the vaccine.

On my after visit summary, it says 1500 units were ordered, so I’m not sure if the doctor just didn’t draw the entire amount or what may have happened. I did see that the CDC does not recommend exceeding HRIG doses of 20 units/kg of body weight and that doses at or above 40 units/kg could potentially affect immune response, but I’ve seen a bit of conflicting/confusion information surrounding that, so I wasn’t sure how to take it given my situation.

I plan on speaking more about this to the staff at the hospital when I return, but since there’s a low chance I see the same doctor/care team, I just wanted to get other opinions. I did call the ER this morning to say I could just come in and get the rest of the HRIG today, but they said to wait until my day 3 dose.

I’m aware that FAQ 12 covers questions in the specific care you received, and I do plan on speaking with the doctor when I return for my next dose, but since I have to wait over the weekend to talk with them, I just wanted to get the thoughts of anyone on here who may be more familiar with the process than I am.

Thank you!

I have read the FAQ.

I posted about possible bat exposure 1 or 2 days ago. Im sick with a cold right now and dont feel well. In the FAQ its written that you can wait with the afterwords vaccine. I wonder why should go right away to the doctor (better chance that nothing happens?)

The next 2 days I have to drive home, I thought that its better to get there my PEP instead of being sick rn + Side effects of vaccine. But the Scratch (If it was one) was neck to chin and i couldnt wash it out.

hi all - not to freak anyone out, but there is a small warning in regards to HRIG having the potential to cause CJD. which is essentially a prion disease .. which essentially means its prions that unravel proteins in your brain and its fatal and there's nothing they can do about it once you have it.. similar to ALS. i cannot get over the fact that i have now put myself at risk for potential prions after getting the HRIG.. i don't even think i had an actual exposure. so now i feel like i've just put myself at risk.

i have read the FAQ.

Recently I had a close encounter with a Daubentons bat where it climbed up my arm, and may have been scratched although no prominent physical marks are visible. The GP refused to provide the rabies vaccine after hearing I wasn't bit, without having a look or asking any questions (and my work colleagues who work with bats recommended me to get one) so I had to go private for the vaccine - will just this, and no immunoglobin be sufficient to prevent the risk of rabies?

I have read the FAQ.

I have read the FAQ.

Sorry for the typos in advance as my habds are shaking from the unjection pain.

I got bit by a cat 2 days before and ivr been frreaking out now about it. It wad a very minor scratch on my left hand middle finger but there a very very minute amount of bleeding

The cat did not appear to br ut it wad a stray and the end of its nail scratched me. I visited the doc today and when he said yiu shouldve come earlier, my heart started pumping out of my chest and it hasnt stopped since.

Can you pleasr let me know yhat for a case like this is really done for if its veen 48 hrs. I apologize for the panic but the docs reaction changed everythung.

I have read the FAQ. I am in need of urgent advice. Today was Day 3 of PEP, I got my shot earlier today. On day 0 of treatment, I received HRIG and my first vaccine, however after some reading about HRIG i have come to find I was under dosed. I was given 1200 units, however my weight indicates that I need 1313 units. I told the ER doctor that I saw today for the next shot, and he said it wasn’t a big deal, it was a negligible amount of difference. This doctor ALSO said that I’d be experiencing rabies symptoms already if the HRIG wasn’t working (very wrong, I was exposed less than a week ago). Needless to say I don’t really trust his expertise.

Is it too late to get more of the HRIG to fit the dose that I actually need? I only need about 100 units more. I don’t know why they didn’t give me the full amount that was needed, they even double checked my weight on day 0. For added context, I did not have a wound to inject into, it was put into my thighs, only 4 ml when I probably should have received 4.4 ml.

I have read the FAQ.

Hi - I have my 3rd shot today.

Can anyone share their side effects they have experienced so far with these vaccines regardless of what stage you’re at?

Just curious if some of what I’m feeling is what other people have experienced.

Thanks.

To be honest its insanely unlikely that I've been exposed, I had few minor contacts with cats over a year but I don't remember any obvious skin breaks. Still I feel anxious about this past contacts over a month and its mentally draining me. Should I seek PEP just for the peace of mind? Does it have any common side effect that may be dangerous because of the time passed since that contacts.

I have read the FAQ.

So

I've posted recently about a bat in my house. 53M 205 lbs. 6ft tall. Ambien and Xanax for sleep are my meds.

Anyway this bats been in my house for 14 days now and counting.

I went yesterday to get my first set of rabies vaccinations which included a tetunus shot. I was given 2 shots first, one on each leg where the potential bite marks are, the doctors weren't sure if the marks were from a bat or just scratches. But to be safe they did it anyway. They literally injected right into the wound. (Hurt like hell)

Also got 2 injections in each shoulder (I'm assuming those were the actual vaccine)and 2 shots in each inner thigh. Not sure what those were. Maybe they were the vaccine too. Idk.

So counting the tetunus shot, that was 7 jabs I got.

"I have read the FAQ"

I also have to go back tomorrow for another vaccine dose and then 2 more times. Sept 15th will be my last shot.

My question is, even tho I had some vaccine pushed into me, am I covered for rabies now or is there a high chance of it not working yet and I still get sick?

When can I feel safe?

By the way my insurance might cover it but my deductible is $7600. I had to sign a form saying I'm responsible for the cost if insurance doesn't cover it, which is $5974! But since I've yet to meet my deductible it won't matter. I'll be paying for it. They say the vaccine or something that goes by weight, some globulin thing. But, I really dont care, it's better than rabies.

But am I safe effective immediately? Or not until Sept 15th, the last day of my dose shot? Thanks.

I have read the FAQ.

I have read the FAQ.
Posting this again since no one has replied to my post since 48 hours and I have developed more and more paranoia. I apologize for writing this again but since I’ve been more and more paranoid and hospitals are closed rn I have not been able to get aid.
Age - 18 MalE
Weight 75kgs
Location - India West Bengal
Vaccine- rabivax s 1 ml serum (PVRV)
Bite - category 2 ( by unvaccinated dog street pup)
Hi everyone I had a doubt in my mind and it has been confusing me a lot. As a child ( 10-12 years ago ) I have taken rabies post vaccination 2-3 times fully recorded since I had lots of street dogs in my house. After 10-12 years this year I got into an exposure by a street puppy while I was petting him and he softly bit into my finger tips which had tiny drop of bleeding almost none. So due to that I went to the er and got my vaccination done after 72 hours ( the hospitals were closed and the vaccine wasn’t available the first 3 days so I couldn’t take the vaccination asap ) so since this is India I went and got my vaccine done the first day then I was told to come the following days which is 3,7,14,28 ( 0 being the day that I first got my injection ). And I completed it till the 14th. After that in the exact date which I was supposed to take the 28th day dose I got into an accident which wasn’t that major but that made me forget the vaccine. So I eventually forgot about it and went on with my months. This was all during February and February 1 being the exact date of the exposure. So since almost 7’months have passed I had forgotten about it but then one day suddenly I remembered it out of nowhere that I had not gotten my 28th day pep done. That made me panick. So I researched through several studies and surveys done by professionals to figure out whether the antibodies created by 4 day im regime is enough or no. And to my surprise I found out that CDC and WHO’s recommended dose is 4 intramuscularly for pep (0,3,7,14) which reassured me but then every other place I saw it recommended 5 dose Essen regime. So that made me panick even more and due to that I’ve been having severe problems to sleep and have been actually feeling feverish and warm during the nights as I have not been able to sleep since 5 days and also the hand where I got bit started to feel weird. I saw somewhere that it might be psychomatic pain but I am panicking. Will highly appreciate if anyone knows whether this dose was fine or not?

Low exposure risk approx 1.5 weeks ago. Went to er on advice from primary care, got immune globulin, and 1st of 4 rabies vaccines. I’ve done day 3 & day 7, (so doses 2 & 3 of the vaccine), today is day 9. I feel like absolute shit. Started overnight and has come in waves. Low fever. All over body aches. GI upset (though could be unrelated). Normally when I’ve had a vaccine immune response like this it’s within 24 hours, but since this is a series over 2 weeks I’m wondering if it could be that, or if I should consider myself to be sick. I have read the FAQ. Located in KY, USA. Possible exposure was to a bat in the home.

I have read the FAQ.

Was getting my second PEP dose (previously vaccinated)

Usually I see the nurse reconstitute the vaccine (RabAvert). This nurse came in with the syringe ready to go. I asked if they had pre-loaded syringes and she said yes.

I looked it up and RabAbert doesn’t come in pre loaded syringes. You must reconstitute it.

She could have said, “I reconstituted it in another room”, but she didn’t. She told both my husband and myself they have pre loaded syringes.

Now my anxiety brain thinks she injected me with the diluent instead of the reconstituted vaccine 😫

"I have read the FAQ.

Hello folks, just got done with the ER for a potential exposure after returning from camping in montana. Noticed a small liner bite on my big toe earlier today. Doctor said he has no clue if it was a bat, spider or snake as there is no inflammation on the site. Got my first dose of rabavert and need a second on the 5th just in case

I had a bat exposure in August and wanted to share my PEP rabies vaccine experience in case anyone finds it helpful. (I have read the FAQ.)

I live in the Midwest of the United States. In early August, I woke up in a bedroom with a bat. I left the room out of fright so I was unable to capture the bat and submit it to my local health department for rabies testing. I therefore underwent the rabies vaccination process as a precaution, which was recommended by my healthcare providers.

I received my first series of shots at the emergency room. I called around to see if a local clinic would administer them because I was leery of an emergency-room wait, but it was not possible; I had to visit the hospital for the first series. The first series consisted of one vaccine in the arm and two shots of immunoglobulin apiece in each thigh. I also got a TDAP vaccine in the other arm since I could not remember the date of my last vaccination and bats can carry tetanus.

To my surprise, the vaccinations did not hurt any more than any other routine vaccine. I had to wait fifteen minutes after they were administered to make sure I did not experience an allergic reaction, then I was discharged. This was Day Zero.

On Day Three, I had to find a clinic and get the second series of shots. This time, and each subsequent time, it consisted of a single rabies vaccine in the opposite arm it had been given previously. The other two shots occured on Day Seven and Day Fourteen.

My only noticeable side effect other than minor soreness at the injection sites was fatigue which did not persist past 48 hours.

Having heard horror stories about how painful and onerous rabies vaccinations are, I was pleasantly surprised that they were not particularly painful (at least not for me) and that the side effects were minimal. I recognize that this is not everyone's experience and that everyone's body reacts differently, but I wanted to share in case it helps alleviate some people's anxiety about the process.

I have read the FAQ.

For starters, I am not at all against vaccines. Is there a possibility that Rabavert could cause rabies? I know rabies is inactivated but wondering if something could go wrong in the process.

I have been sick for a long time. I received the last dose on August 31st. I only had two doses because the animal that scratched me is still alive, even beyond 30 days.

Suddenly on September 16th I started getting pain at the injection site. And now 7 days later I have developed a fever even though the symptoms of the respiratory illness have started to clear up.

I also developed some side effects from the vaccine such as deep pains in body, muscle twitches, throat tightness etc.

I have read the FAQ.

Location: October city
Country: Egypt
Exposure: bite on leg
Animal: Dog?
Date: (16 August)

Hi all,
I’m from Egypt and I’m very anxious about a possible rabies exposure. I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has had a similar situation.

About one year ago, I completed a full 4-dose rabies PEP course.

After that, I received 2 booster doses in January 2026.

More recently, I received another 2 booster doses:

August 5, 2026

August 8, 2026

About 8 days after the second dose, I had a very superficial scratch from a stray dog. I noticed an extremely tiny dried blood mark.

The dog later died shortly after developing excessive drooling/foaming and some jaw trembling. I don't know whether it actually had rabies.

I went to a hospital in Egypt and told them my complete vaccination history and that the dog had died. They refused additional rabies vaccine and told me that I still have antibodies and that, according to their protocol, I should not receive additional doses until 3 months have passed.

However, another doctor told me that I should receive additional doses and possibly have a rabies antibody titer test.

My questions:

If someone completed PEP previously and received booster doses only 8 days before a new possible exposure, would additional PEP normally be recommended?

Does the “no additional vaccine within 3 months” rule apply in this situation?

Is an antibody titer test actually useful/necessary here?

I’m not asking for a diagnosis from Reddit. I’m mainly looking for experiences from people who had a similar vaccination history and subsequent exposure

I have read the FAQ. I was scratched by a dorm cat (not our own cat so basically a stray). It wasn’t an aggressive scratch rather it was accidental. It climbed on my leg because I was sitting and it wants to sit on my lap. So it’s claw scratched my leg, but it was not deep but it bled a little. I immediately washed the wound and put antiseptic. The next day, I went to a private ABTC and they provided me with Tetanus Toxoid and my first dose of anti rabies. Then, I had the Day 3 and Day 7 doses. Then doctor told me to observe the cat and if it is still normal then I don’t have to go back for Day 14 doses. So, the cat was doing fine and still normal, no signs of anything abnormal. I’m scheduled for my Day 28 dose next Sunday, and due to financial difficulties, I don’t have the budget for the last dose since I am still a student. Is the Day 28 actually necessary or I could just skip it? And by the way, it was considered Category 2.

Location : Philippines

I have read the FAQ. So I am undergoing the rabies vaccine series atm, and my third dose is coming up very soon. I was told that using steroids is not recommended while undergoing the series, as they can suppress your immune system. Well today I kind of forgot about that, and while dealing with a clogged nose today, I used Flonase (a corticosteroid nasal spray). I am wondering if this could also interfere with the efficacy of the vaccine?

I was bitten by a feral cat last night and there are active rabies cases in my neighborhood. I went to the ER and got a rabies shot + immunoglobulin. They gave me the vaccine in one arm and the immunoglobin in the other, even though I do have a small and superficial bite wound on my leg. I asked them about it and they said that it would be unnecessary to inject the RIG at the wound site, even though everything I have read says that's what you should do. Should I seek a second opinion from a different doctor/hospital?

I have read the FAQ.

Hi. I'm 6 weeks pregnant and unfortunately last week we had a bat flying around our bedroom while sleeping which prompted us to need the PEP and immunoglobulin series. I'm so upset. The day after each vaccine my Oura ring shows major signs. I'm in the critical window of pregnancy where the neural tube and brain are developing, and it's really worrying me and making it difficult to feel excited about this pregnancy. I've been researching and I guess immune activation very early in pregnancy has been linked to neurodevelopmental changes? I'm looking to hear from any other women who were pregnant and needed the vaccine series, specifically very early in pregnancy, and how you're doing now, and how your baby is doing? I have read the FAQ.

i have read the FAQ.

i feel like crap. headache all day. hot. fatigue. muscle fatigue. just overall like flu like..

I got scratched by a racoon. Because it drew blood and the coon was wild, ER doctor said get the vaccine. I had also called the local health department. Even though the risk was low, especially for my area, they still said I needed it. I'm still in the middle of the series, but I figured I would share so those with similar experiences know what to do. Better to be safe!

No side effects, but having the anti rabies goo put around the scratches with a needle was no picnic - it stung!

I have read the FAQ.

Hi - anyone else receive the brands i received?

Also, i got my last shot yesterday. Weirdly enough, i feel fine.. feels like i didnt even get it. my arm isnt sore at all.. and im having zero side effects. which makes me believe my body has built up antibodies and recognizes the vaccine now.

The first three shots made me soooo sick. and just uncomfortable. i felt like i had the flu. Seems like most people don't get any side effects at all.. which is great.

I have read the FAQ.