What happens if you don't get vaccinated after a dog bite? - briefly
If you don't get vaccinated after a dog bite, you are at significant risk of developing rabies, a viral disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Without prompt medical attention and vaccination, the likelihood of contracting this serious illness increases dramatically.
What happens if you don't get vaccinated after a dog bite? - in detail
If you do not receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccination after being bitten by a dog, several potential consequences may arise. The primary concern is the risk of developing rabies, a viral disease that affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Without immediate medical attention and PEP vaccination, the rabies virus can incubate in your body for an extended period, ranging from a few days to several years. This latency period allows the virus to spread undetected through your nervous system, ultimately reaching the brain. Once the virus reaches the central nervous system, it multiplies rapidly and causes inflammation, leading to severe neurological symptoms such as anxiety, confusion, agitation, paralysis, and hallucinations. At this stage, rabies is nearly always fatal, with a mortality rate approaching 100%.
The absence of PEP vaccination not only puts your life at risk but also poses a threat to public health. If you develop rabies symptoms, the virus can be transmitted to others through contact with infected saliva or other bodily fluids. This could potentially lead to an outbreak, putting additional lives in danger and placing a significant burden on healthcare resources.
Moreover, delaying or forgoing PEP vaccination may result in a higher number of vaccine doses being required if you decide to seek treatment later. The standard PEP regimen consists of four doses of vaccine administered over a 14-day period. If treatment is delayed, the number of doses may increase, making the process more complex and time-consuming.
In conclusion, failing to receive PEP vaccination after a dog bite puts you at considerable risk for developing rabies and exposes others to potential infection. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention and follow the recommended treatment protocol to minimize these risks and protect public health.