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Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the nervous system in both humans and other warm-blooded animals. Once clinical symptoms develop in a patient, rabies is nearly always fatal. However, prompt medical intervention with rabies antiserum and rabies vaccines can effectively stop the virus before it reaches the brain and prevent death. In this article, we will explore rabies antiserum in more detail, including how it works, its efficacy, guidelines for use, and more.
What is Rabies Antiserum?
Rabies antiserum, also called rabies immune globulin or RIG, is a blood product derived from horses or humans that have been vaccinated against rabies. It contains antibodies against the rabies virus that are produced by a vaccinated individual’s immune system. When administered to a person who has been exposed to rabies, the antibodies in the antiserum bind to any rabies virus particles that may have entered the body through the exposure site. This neutralizes the virus and prevents it from spreading to the central nervous system. Rabies antiserum provides immediate short-term protection against rabies until the person’s own immune system can produce antibodies in response to vaccination.
How Effective is Rabies Antiserum?
When properly administered according to recommended guidelines, rabies antiserum is highly effective at preventing rabies disease. Several large clinical studies have shown rabies antiserum to be nearly 100% effective when given promptly after a suspected rabies exposure along with vaccination. One review found that only one or two cases of rabies disease have been reported in thousands of people who received timely and appropriate rabies post-exposure prophylaxis including antiserum and vaccination. Its lifesaving benefits are well established when used correctly as part of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.
Guidelines for Rabies Antiserum Use
According to guidelines from public health organizations worldwide, rabies antiserum should be administered only in combination with rabies vaccine as part of post-exposure prophylaxis. It is not used or effective as a treatment once clinical symptoms of rabies disease appear. Key factors regarding its proper use include:
– Administer antiserum on the day of the first rabies vaccine dose, or as close to exposure as possible for maximum benefit.
– Infiltrate the full dose around the wound(s) and according to recommended volumes based on age and weight. If wound care involves multiple sites, divide the dose proportionately.
– For severe exposures like multiple bites or contamination of mucous membranes, both antiserum and vaccine should be given.
– Additional antiserum is not needed or beneficial after the initial dose is given at the start of vaccination.
Following these evidence-based guidelines helps ensure rabies antiserum delivers optimum protection against rabies when most needed after a potential exposure.
Supply, Administration and Precautions
Rabies antiserum is produced through the hyperimmunization of livestock or volunteers with rabies vaccines. Given global demand, there are significant challenges to maintaining a steady supply. Its administration also requires special care like screening recipients for allergies to horse or human proteins first.
Because rabies antiserum contains foreign antibodies, a small percentage of recipients may experience mild allergic reactions at the injection site like redness or swelling. On rare occasions severe systemic allergic reactions called serum sickness can occur 1-2 weeks later. Precautions are taken to carefully screen recipients and monitor for adverse effects. Despite these hurdles, antiserum remains essential for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis when administered properly.
Conclusion
In summary, rabies antiserum provides a critical layer of immediate protection against rabies virus during the first few weeks after vaccination begins. When administered promptly according to guidelines along with vaccination, it is extremely effective at preventing the fatal rabies disease. Maintaining consistent global supplies and improving access continues to be a public health priority. With proper use, rabies antiserum saves many lives each year by neutralizing rabies virus before it can cause illness. It remains a key component of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis worldwide.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
