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[Sticky] Rabies


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(@michael)
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NO – Telemedicine doctors generally cannot administer rabies vaccination or rabies immune globulin — those require an in-person visit to a clinic, urgent care, emergency department, or public health site.

Here’s how it usually works:

✅ What telemedicine can do

During a virtual visit, a clinician can:

  • They may prescribe antibiotics or wound care if you were bitten.

❌ What requires in-person care

These must be given face-to-face:

  • Rabies vaccine series (post-exposure)

  • Rabies immune globulin (RIG)

  • Wound irrigation, tetanus booster, or suturing (if needed)

These products are typically stocked at:

  • Emergency departments

  • Some urgent cares

  • County / state health departments

  • Occupational health clinics (occasionally)

🚨 Seek same-day in-person care — don’t wait for telehealth — if:

  • You were bitten or scratched by a bat, raccoon, fox, skunk, coyote, or stray/unknown pet

  • A bat was found in your room while you were sleeping

  • The animal cannot be found or observed for 10 days

  • The wound is on the face, neck, or hands

  • You have symptoms of infection or significant pain/swelling

Rabies is rare but almost always fatal once symptoms begin — timing matters.

🗓️ What to expect from treatment (overview)

Post-exposure prophylaxis typically includes:

  • Day 0: Rabies immune globulin + first vaccine dose

  • Days 3, 7, 14: Additional vaccine doses

  • (Different schedule if previously vaccinated)

An in-person clinician will tailor this based on your history and exposure, most commonly at the Emergency Room. 


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