Dr. Peter Bryant Rapsing Grutas
General Medicine
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have been scratched by my pet dog and I think it reached beneath my skin. I got red areas and I did not take any rabies medicine. And it is the third day, can I take medication now?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Yes, you can still take the medication. Do you have rabies or tetanus vaccine? If not or you are not sure, I recommend you go to a nearby hospital to have a rabies vaccine and tetanus shots or at least booster shots. I recommend you to complete the dose as per your doctor’s advice. In the meantime, I recommend you wash it with clean soap, Betadine solution, and clean water every day to avoid infection. If in pain, you may take Ibuprofen twice a day as needed for pain. Is there anything else I can help you with or anything that is not clear to you? I would gladly clarify them.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
I do not have much left, can I visit a pharmacy and get a rabies shot?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, you may do that. For post-exposure vaccination, you may opt for either the five dose regimen, the 2-1-1 regimen or the four-dose regimen with RIG. You may choose either of the three depending on your convenience, compliance, and availability of the medication.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
I have taken my pep first shot and tetanus. Yesterday and the rest are scheduled for me to take. But I feel a pain in the scratched location and a low-grade fever. Is it rabies? Or is it normal to have this reaction?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, this is normal and usually resolves in a couple of days. If it persists, I recommend followup with the clinic where you had your shot. In the meantime, you may take Paracetamol every four hours if there is fever and three times a day for pain. You may also apply cold compress on the affected area for the pain as well. I also recommend continuing the daily wound cleaning as I recommended above.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
One last question, since I delayed my medication process, what are my chances of actually acquiring rabies?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Your treatment is not delayed. The medication can be given up to ten days post exposure.
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General Medicine
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