[Sticky] Rabies

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.