Archive · 14 Aug 2025
Pediatrician Issues Dog Bite Rabies Prevention Guidelines
If a dog or other mammal bites or scratches your child, it's important to take quick action.
First, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
Then, get the child vaccinated against rabies as soon as possible.
The vaccine is usually given in the thigh or shoulder, not the buttocks.
Rabies is a serious disease that can be deadly, but it can be prevented with the right treatment.
Doctors also recommend giving antibodies at the bite site within a week of the vaccine.
A pediatrician stresses the importance of rabies vaccines after dog bites.
Wash wounds with soap and water for 15 minutes immediately after a bite or scratch.
Vaccines should be administered in the thigh or shoulder for children.
Antibodies should be injected at the bite site within seven days of the vaccine.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease if left untreated.
- Who
- Children bitten or scratched by dogs or other mammals.
- What
- Guidelines for treating dog bites to prevent rabies.
- When
- Immediately after a dog bite or scratch.
- Where
- At the site of the bite, and at the thigh or shoulder for vaccination.
- Why
- To prevent rabies, a fatal viral disease.
Shukla's View
Pediatrician's View
Severity of Rabies
Shukla's View
Rabies is a "mild virus".
Pediatrician's View
Rabies is a fatal viral disease.
- Recommended action
- Wash wound with soap and water for 15 minutes
- Vaccination location
- Thigh or shoulder (for children)
- Antibody administration
- Within seven days of vaccine
- Rabies outcome
- Fatal if untreated