Rabies Vaccine

[Flypiripiri]

Hello

I fly long range throughout the world and at short notice. Do most people who have similar jobs have a rabies vaccine or go without?

Many thanks for your thoughts on this one.

[obgraham]

Piri:
I'm not specifically addressing the issue of rabies vaccine for pilots. But in general, this vaccine is only advised for people at high risk. Lab workers who might handle the virus, workers who contact bats, and travelers like trekkers who go into places where rabies is common.

I wouldn't think that pilot work would qualify.

For US folks, a CDC site called vaccines.gov outlines the indications.
In the UK, your NHS has a similar site with virtually the same indications.

(disclaimer: not an AME)

[was gingernut]

some good stuff here.... https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rabies-the-green-book-chapter-27

[was gingernut]

seems to be related to risk of exposure, length of exposure and potential time to post exposure treatment. Not a simple answer I'm afraid, School's of Tropical Medicine are a good place to seek specialist advice.

Does anyone know how my former self, gingernut , can get hold of his old log in code ? In my move, seem to have lost all my important passwords/e-mails etc.

[cavortingcheetah]

You might have better luck with this question on the computer forum? Perhaps they can be retrieved from a previous back up of from a keychain?
I must confess to having a little black book which is really pretty stupid because it completely circumvents the safety protocols in password procedures. But then again and touch wood.......

[Bad medicine]

The information was sent to was gingernut a few hours after he asked the question. I assume it worked, as I've not heard back. Let's stick to the thread topic.

Cheers,

BM

[compressor stall]

I'm halfway through the rabies course; the advice to get it is that I'm heading to remote regions of South America for six months and will be traveling with kids. Remote villages often equals stray dogs....

If I was staying in big towns and hotels then I would not bother.

The vaccine just buys you time. If you get bitten without it, you've git 24 hours to get a blood product into you. If you have the vaccine, you have 2-3 days for follow up treatment, that's not a blood product.

As always, seek specialist advice.

[Amelia_Flashtart]

I have completed the rabies vaccination course as with my previous employer (an arm of the German Government) it is mandatory for those of us working in places like Afghanistan and areas of Africa where packs of dogs roam at night and it is not uncommon for cats and dogs to carry rabies.

Definitely a good idea if you may be in known rabies areas and without easy access to good medical facilities

[was gingernut]

thank's guy's and BM, all sorted now, "The Green Book," still seems to offer the best guidance :-)

[Capetonian]

When I used to travel quite a lot in high risk areas of central and east Africa, I asked about rabies shots, and was told that unless I was actually roaming townships and likely to be exposed and not able to get prompt treatment if bitten, it was not worth getting vaccinated as the vaccine then used was not considered very effective. This may have changed now.

Rabies is a terrible disease and avoidance is definitely better than cure.

[compressor stall]

Sounds like not much has changed.