Actor-Travel Vlogger Shenaz Treasury Gets Rabies Shot After Bat-Bite: When Should You Take The Shot?

Actor-travel vlogger Shenaz Treasury recently had an unpleasant encounter at a restaurant in Mumbai, where she claimed that she was bit and scratched by a bat that fell on her.

In an Instagram story, she revealed, "I was sitting in a restaurant, and a bat fell on my shoulder and hair. I pulled it out. It’s on the table now.” She shared that bats carry many diseases and added, "Their scratches and bites look tiny but can cause rabies. The doctor said I should take the rabies shot as it can be very fatal."

OnlyMyHealth agrees and therefore would like to shine a detailed light on the role of the rabies shot, how effective it is, and when people should take it.

Also Read: 4-Year-Old Boy Bitten By Stray Dog Dies Of Rabies In Tamil Nadu; Symptoms To Look Out For

How Dangerous Is Bat Bite?

The primary reason why a bat bite could be dangerous is that it can transmit rabies, which is a potentially fatal disease.

Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the Central Nervous System (CNS) and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Tiredness
• Pain, itching, tingling, or numbness at the bite wound 
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Muscle pain
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Diarrhoea
• Fear of water (hydrophobia)
• Drooling

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies is a serious public health problem in over 150 countries and territories, mainly in Asia and Africa. It causes tens of thousands of deaths annually, with 40% being children under 15, the global health body adds.

99% of the human rabies cases occur due to dog bites and scratches. But the good news is that the disease is preventable through dog vaccination and bite prevention. Additionally, if you are exposed, prompt rabies vaccination can stop the spread of the virus.

What Is A Rabies Shot?

The rabies vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent rabies, which is known to be 100% vaccine-preventable.

There are two types of vaccines: pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

PrEP is recommended for people in high-risk occupations and those who indulge in personal or professional activities that might lead to rabies exposure. On the other hand, PEP is an emergency vaccine for people who have been exposed to the rabies virus.

Also Read: Taylor Momsen Reveals Getting Bitten By Bat On Stage, Will Get Rabies Shots; Symptoms To Look Out For Rabies

As per the WHO, a well-performed wound risk assessment and PEP protocol consists of:

• extensive wound washing with water and soap for at least 15 minutes soon after an exposure;
• a course of rabies vaccine;
• administration of rabies immunoglobulin or monoclonal antibodies into the wound, if indicated.

According to the WHO, effective vaccines are available to immunise people both before and after potential exposures. As listed under the WHO Prequalification of Medical Products, as of 2024, there are only 3 WHO pre-qualified human rabies vaccines available globally: RABIVAX-S by Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., VaxiRab N by Zydus Lifesciences Limited, and VERORAB by Sanofi Pasteur.

When Should You Take Rabies Shot?

In India, the standard schedule for the rabies vaccine is five doses on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 30, with day ‘0’ being the first day of vaccine administration.

You should take the rabies vaccine as soon as possible after exposure to an animal that may have rabies. Rabies can affect any mammal, but it's most common in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, and coyotes. It can also affect domestic animals, including cats, dogs, and livestock. So the sooner you get the shot, the better your chances are of protection. The vaccine is no longer effective once symptoms of rabies appear. Early symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Weakness
• Discomfort
• An itching, prickling sensation

Later symptoms include:

• Anxiety, insomnia, confusion, agitation, or delirium 
• Hallucinations
• Hydrophobia (fear of water) 
• Hypersalivation
• Seizures
• Difficulty swallowing
• Excessive movements or agitation 
• Muscle spasms and unusual postures 
• Weakness or paralysis 
• Extreme sensitivity to bright lights, sounds, or touch

Rabies symptoms usually appear 3–12 weeks after exposure to the virus, but they can appear as early as a few days or as late as several months or years.

Consult a doctor immediately if you have been bitten or scratched by an animal that may have suspected rabies. Do not delay your vaccinations!

Image credit: Instagram/@shenaztreasury