Rabies is a rare, yet nearly universally fatal diagnosis, responsible for over 59,000 deaths worldwide annually. Appropriate use of pre- and postexposure prophylaxis can eliminate the risk of developing rabies if administered according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines. Though rabies is very rare, rapid recognition of potential exposures is vital to patient care and protection of public health. This review focuses on the challenges of managing patients who are at risk for or have had a potential rabies exposure, indications and guidelines for administering pre- or postexposure prophylaxis, and requirements for reporting, testing, and monitoring. Evidence regarding management of patients presenting with suspected clinical rabies is also reviewed.
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Following are the most informative references cited in this paper, as determined by the authors.
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Keywords: rabies, bite, wild, animal, canine, bat, travel, pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, post-exposure prophylaxis, PEP, vaccination, saliva, prodrome, encephalitis, furious, paralytic, dumb, hydrophobia, aerophobia, hnRT-PCR, HRIG, rabies immune globulin
Bess Storch, MD
Jason Chu, MD; Edward Otten, MD, FACMT, FAWM
April 1, 2021
April 1, 2024   CME Information
4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 4 ACEP Category I Credits, 4 AAFP Prescribed Credits, 4 AOA Category 2-A or 2-B Credits. Specialty CME Credits: Included as part of the 4 credits, this CME activity is eligible for 4 Infectious Disease CME credits
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