[Heike]

Till now, perhaps I have always handled my life recklessly because I have none:

In a German-speaking forum I have read that some doctors hold a rabies vaccination for required -
other doctors recommend a rabies vaccination.
Most people whom I know aren't vaccinated.

What do you think? Are you vaccinated against rabies?

[dzibead]

Here's a link to the World Health Organization website with some information on this subject.  I think rabies vaccination is pretty rare except for people with a very high risk of exposure, like people working directly with animals.

http://www.who.int/v...html#strategies

[Seventies'Neil]

Even though I've been bitten twice in India over the years once in CP New Delhi on the back of the ankle & once in Pushkar, lower leg. I still wouldn't bother with the vaccination. Both times I was assured by local people who saw it happen that that particular dog was ok & that I'd just surprised it.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Yes, But most of the rabid animals are found in more rural locations.
Plus at the first signs of rabies in a dog, that dog is killed immediately.

So if ever you are bitten, don't panic, weigh up the situation, Was it a Mad Dog running around crazily or was it just a dog which you'd disturbed/surprised or intruded upon.
Best advice is to make some sound as you're walking along to forwarn the dog that you are approahing,,,,,,,,,
__________________

[cyberhippie]

With these kind of decisions it's always better to talk to a health worker and make a personal choice!

Having said that I agree with seventies and I've never been bitten not once in a lot of years travelling in India!

[HowieUK]

As I intend to travel in mainly out of the way places, to err on the safe side I had the 3 rabies jabs in the UK

They were approx £35 pounds each and I didn't have any side affects, duh duh side affects, duh duh side affects!

Guess its down to the individual but getting bitten miles from any supply of the vacine, under time constraints
to receive it is the worst case scenario.  When I was in India previously I met someone who was bitten and had to go through all the jabs (5!) and she didn't know if the dog had rabies or not! The first jab I believe was in the stomach and pretty painful. The 3 jabs I had in the UK were all in the arm and no problem and if you then get bitten by a rabid dog you need 2 more jabs in India but you can wait a longer period of time before you have them.

Howie

[john.sw]

How long do the rabies jabs last?  Do you need a booster every 10 years or something?

Also, has anyone had the jabs in India?  I expect they would be a lot cheaper.

[HowieUK]

I'm not sure how long the jabs last for

I will check that out when I get my next 'shots'

On a quick search I unearthed this info:

http://www.tmvc.com....176&HPNewsID=56

Howie