I'm a bit worried about a scratch I got from a dog about two days ago. I couldn't get a rabies shot immediately, and I'm planning to get it soon, but it's been over 48 hours now. Will the vaccine still be effective if I get it within 72 hours, or is it too late to prevent rabies?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Dhankecha Dineshbhai

General Practitioner

MBBS
6+ Yrs

Consult Now

If you get the rabies shot after 48 hours but before 72 hours of a dog scratch, the vaccine can still be effective. It is ideal to get the rabies vaccine as soon as possible after a potential exposure. The standard regimen for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis involves a series of rabies vaccines, such as Rabipur or Verorab, given on days 0, 3, 7, and 14. Additionally, a dose of rabies immunoglobulin may be administered on day 0 for those with high-risk exposures. It is important to follow the recommended schedule for the vaccine to ensure protection against rabies.

Dr. Dhankecha Suggests...

Consult a Infectious Disease specialist

Find a Infectious Disease specialist

Answered 04/07/2025

More Infectious Disease Health Queries

View all

I'm in Bangalore and I need to get idrv. I managed to get some when I was at home, but I still need more doses. I'm worried because it seems like many private hospitals here might not have it. Do you know where I might be able to find it?

Visit nearest government hospital,there you will definitely get it.

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

I've been experiencing something strange and it's a bit concerning. Every evening around 5 o'clock, I start getting a fever, and it sticks around until about 9 o'clock. After that, I feel completely fine, only for it to happen again the next day. This has been going on for the past 15 days. I'm on antibiotics, but they don't seem to be helping. The blood test says I have typhoid, but I don't notice any other symptoms of it in myself. What should I do?

Follow proper antibiotic course and immunizing diet

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

I'm really worried because I had unprotected sex with a sex worker 7 and 8 months ago and I just had the fourth-generation p24 antigen test done at Lalpath Lab. It came back non-reactive with index values of .09 and .25. Is this result conclusive, or do you think I need to take another test? I'm not sure what to do next.

Its negative but get yourself tested 6 months once for a period of 2 years as you had a risky exposure

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Health Articles for you

View all

Leptospirosis

What Leads To Signs Of Leptospirosis?

Discover the causes and transmission of Leptospirosis, the bacterial infection spread through animal urine and contaminated water. Learn to recognize the initial flu-like symptoms and signs of severe Weil's disease.

Legionnaires disease

Understanding the Root Cause: The Legionella Bacterium

Learn about the Legionella bacterium — its sources, how it spreads, health risks like Legionnaires’ disease, and key prevention strategies to stay safe.

Bird flu avian influenza

Bird Flu: Symptoms, Causes And Cure

Bird flu has high public health concerns. Humans get infections from diseased birds with certain conditions. So, know the symptoms, causes, and cure for this disease.

Bird flu avian influenza

Bird Flu: Symptoms, Causes, Cure And Prevention Of Bird Flu

Bird flu has high public health concerns. Humans get the infections from the diseased birds with certain conditions. So, know the symptoms, causes, and cure for this disease.

HIV AIDS

AIDS Overview: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Understand AIDS symptoms, causes, transmission, and treatment options. Learn how HIV progresses to AIDS, ways to prevent infection, and how ART helps manage the condition.

Disclaimer: Answers on Apollo 247 are not intended to replace your doctor advice. Always seek help of a professional doctor in case of an medical emergency or ailment.