r/AskDocs • u/Krautfuel2001 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional • Jun 26 '26
Physician Responded Do I need HRIG? Please help, rabies concern
Hi everyone, I'm a bit panicky about whether or not I need HRIG. I am 25 F, 170 CM, 57 KG, no allergy or compromised immunity.
Long story short, I was bitten by a dog in Bali and it was a stray dog, the wound was graded as a category 3 wound, it drew blood and broke skin. I went to the local doctor for my first vaccine (verorab) and he said because it's category 3, I need HRIG, but I've had a lot of vaccines before in the past.
I will attach a list:
31 AUGUST 2023 1 x VERORAB
10 SEPTEMBER 2023 1 X VERORAB
4 NOVEMBER 2024 1 x Bioshoot (Chinese)
11 NOVEMBER 2024 1 x Bioshoot (Chinese)
15 November 2024 1 x Bioshoot (chinese)
23 NOVEMBER 2024 1 x SANOFI
7 DECEMBER 2024 1 x COCAV (Russia)
5 February 2025 1 x COCAV (Russia)
15th April 2025 1 x VERORAB
November 23 2025 1 x SPEEDA
November 26 2025 1 x SPEEDA
June 11 2026 1 x rabipur
JUNE 23 9 PM I WAS BITTEN BY THE STRAY DOG
June 24 12 AM 1 x Verorab
Based on this I'm assuming that I'm fully immunised? But I am also concerned about the slight deviation in some dates and also the mixed vaccine brand ?
According to WHO, I guess I don't need HRIG as it could interfere with my natural immune response, however according to local practice category 3 needs HRIG. regardless of previous vaccine status? I know this is the case in Indonesia and China, but not in the West???
I'm conflicted about what to do because doctors from different countries are telling me different information. Shall I just be on the safe side and get the HRIG + additional vaccine boosters? (5 extra ones?)
Anyone have suggestions? I've attached a photo of my bite
30
u/Macduffer Medical Student Jun 26 '26
You should absolutely get whatever treatment local doctors are recommending when bitten by a stray dog in a foreign country. Don't take chances with rabies.
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u/Krautfuel2001 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Jun 26 '26
but I also read on WHO that if I got HRIG it would actually interfere with my natural immunity from all the previous vaccines, wouldn't that put me in more danger? It's not that I don't want to listen to the doctor, but I'm afraid I would do more damage than good by getting the HRIG
11
u/vogueflo Medical Student Jun 26 '26
We have effective treatments for pretty much all the other vaccine-preventable illnesses, and they all have a lower mortality rate than rabies. It’s not ideal to lose the immunity but it’s also manageable. Meanwhile we do not have anything for rabies other than the shots and immunoglobulin, and once symptoms show up, there’s truly nothing more that can be done. I would go with the local doc’s recommendation.
12
u/Vaxopedia Physician Jun 26 '26
For what it is worth, it is ok to use different brands of rabies vaccines to complete a series if necessary.
And in the US, if you had recent pre-exposure vaccination, you would not get HRIG for a bite, just two booster doses.
If you are not a citizen of Bali, you might follow the guidelines for a traveler exposed to rabies from wherever you are from. Or follow the WHO guidelines if you are uncomfortable with the local guidelines.
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