I am male 26 years of age - I was beaten by a dog twice since i was child and teenager, i was never been vaccinated since ever, i only took natural medication during those time such as garlic and detergent bar I am worried for my health since then. I never felt any difference from now. But there are some humors and news that rabies can be dormant for years and can be active afterwards, can this be true? Will I take a vaccination immediately without examination or none at all? Probably 16 to 17 years had pass since i was beaten by a dog. Thank you and more power.

Dr. Joshua’s Answer:

Rabies is caused by a virus, which has an incubation period varying from a few days to a few years. This is the period during which it’s “dormant”, the period of time between the bite and the onset of symptoms. It’s usually 1-3 months, and very rarely years. Vaccination alone is not enough if you should get bitten by a rabid dog. In addition, you need the antibody. Once the symptoms appear, the disease is 100% fatal. However, it’s been so long since those bites that I think you’re OK. Especially if you have no particular reason to suspect that those dogs were indeed rabid.

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