Those of us with a sense of adventure seek the thrill of a travel destination that goes way beyond your average package holiday to a sunny, all-inclusive hotel. And if you find yourself in a long-haul destination on holiday or for other reasons, such as work, there are certain essential preparations you need to undertake. Your appetite for visiting a non-standard travel location needs to be backed up with a level of knowledge and an appreciation of the risks involved, in order that your trip is enjoyable and successful, and that particularly applies when considering the risks of rabies.
Although rabies is a relatively rare disease, and it is certainly very rare in the UK, it is almost always fatal once the symptoms appear. The risk of contracting rabies is quite small, but the infection is much more common in places such as Asia, Africa and Central and South America, which are certainly common destinations for people who don’t shy away from hazards and escapades on a holiday or work trip. But rabies is definitely something you need to be aware of and plan for, and that means understanding the risks, how it is contracted and getting a vaccination to prevent it.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a serious infection that is usually contracted via a bite or scratch from an infected animal that passes on the virus. Rabies is spread by mammals, and therefore the type of animals that are often found in regions such as Asia, Africa and South/Central America, such as cats and dogs, bats, raccoons, monkeys and foxes.
If you are bitten or scratched by an infected animal or if an infected animal licks a sensitive part of your body, such as the eyes, nose or mouth, or an open wound, then you are at high risk of contracting rabies. Of course, you won’t know if an animal is already infected with rabies and you won’t immediately know if the animal has passed it on to you. The symptoms of rabies can take time to develop, and include tingling and itching, fever, fear and aggressive behaviour. Once these symptoms start to appear you must seek immediate medical attention, but it could already be too late. Therefore, preventive precaution is absolutely essential, and that means a pre-travel rabies vaccination.
The rabies vaccination
The rabies vaccine essentially reduces the risk of experiencing the worst symptoms of rabies, but it might not prevent the initial infection. However, you are protected from the fatal effects of rabies because the vaccine prepares your immune system to fight against the virus, if you are exposed to it having been infected by an animal who is already carrying the virus.
It is strongly recommended that travellers to areas where the rabies risk is medium to high, undertake a pre-exposure vaccination to guard against this possibility. This could be people on holiday to remote areas, or who plan to handle wild or feral animals, or who might be visiting caves where bats are common, or even if you are planning none of these things but could be more than 24 hours away from professional medical attention. Rabies vaccination is also strongly recommended for those people in an occupation that places them in a high risk of exposure, such as veterinarians, animal handlers and laboratory workers. In the normal course of their profession, these people may handle the virus or have to interact with animals that could be infected.
How does the rabies vaccination work?
The vaccine works by stimulating antibody production via your body’s immune system. The vaccine contains inactivated rabies virus particles, and the immune system produces antibodies to fight these and prevent a full infection. The antibodies therefore prevent the virus from spreading to the areas where it would cause the potentially fatal symptoms, such as the brain and the nervous system. Essentially, the vaccine prevents neurological illness, and provides a crucial layer of protection which could prevent the symptoms from being fatal.
If you are administered the rabies vaccine in Bromley via the Travel Clinic Bromley, you will receive a full course of three vaccinations before you travel. We offer a travel consultation which you can book online and which advises you of what precautions you should take prior to travel, based on your specific destination. If you are travelling to a medium-high risk destination in terms of rabies, you can book a rabies vaccination in Bromley today.
A vaccine programme can also work if you have been scratched or bitten by an animal while overseas and you haven’t had a pre-travel vaccination, but you must seek this form of medical attention immediately, and definitely within 24 hours of the incident. In areas of medium-high risk, it may not always be possible to secure this kind of medical attention in the time span you need. This is why it is always recommended to get a pre-travel rabies vaccination so that you are prepared and as protected as you can be, prior to travel.
Book a rabies vaccination with Travel Clinic Bromley
A pre-travel rabies vaccine is the best way to prime your immune system to reduce the risk of developing rabies symptoms which are nearly always fatal. At the Travel Clinic Bromley we have a team of experienced and professional consultants who can advise on your travel plans and recommend a suitable vaccination programme for your destination. We strongly recommend a full course of pre-travel vaccination treatments as a preventive measure to protect yourself from any level of risk. Book a rabies vaccination in Bromley today with Travel Clinic Bromley.
