Don’t Delay Rabies Vaccination: Scratch by a Monkey Could be Life-Threatening

If you have been scratched by a monkey and are bleeding, it is important to seek vaccination against rabies as soon as possible. Research shows that monkeys can carry rabies viruses in their saliva, which can be transmitted to humans through scratches. Those traveling in the wild are at higher risk of being scratched or bitten by monkeys when provoking or teasing the animal.

It is crucial to visit vaccination sites promptly so that a doctor can examine the wound directly. Depending on the severity of the scratch, you may need to be vaccinated against rabies, tetanus, or receive anti-rabies serum. Do not delay seeking treatment while waiting to monitor the monkey’s health, as this could lead to missing the optimal time for vaccine administration. Monitoring the condition of wild monkeys can be challenging.

The vaccination regimen typically involves receiving 5 injections over 28 days on days 0-3-7-14-28. In cases where the wound is severe, located in sensitive areas, or the animal cannot be monitored, additional serum may be necessary to produce antibodies quickly. If you have already completed the rabies vaccination series or received rabies prophylaxis, only two additional vaccine shots may be required without the need for serum.

Rabies is a severe disease caused by a virus that is transmitted from animals to humans primarily through bites and scratches. The mortality rate is nearly 100% once the disease sets in. High-risk individuals who frequently interact with animals should consider receiving three shots of the vaccine. This can help reduce the number of injections required in case of an animal attack and minimize the risk of side effects associated with anti-rabies serum. Modern vaccines used in vaccination centers do not contain nerve cells, which eliminates potential impacts on human health and memory.

If you are traveling outside your home country and have been scratched by a monkey while hiking or trekking through forested areas, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately and get immunized against rabies as soon as possible.

The first thing you should do if you are bitten or scratched by a monkey is clean your wound thoroughly with soap and water to remove any germs present on its skin.

After cleaning your wound, cover it with a sterile bandage and try not to touch it too much.

Next, seek medical attention from an experienced doctor who specializes in infectious diseases such as rabies.

The doctor will perform an examination of your wound and determine if there has been any exposure to rabies virus.

If there has been exposure, they will recommend immediate immunization against rabies using a series of five doses given over 28 days.

The first dose must be administered within 72 hours after exposure for maximum effectiveness.

After receiving all five doses of Rabipro® (the most commonly used brand name), your body will produce antibodies that protect against Rabidophobia (fear of being bitten by a dog).