UNDERSTANDING RABIES

Every 10 Minutes in the United States, Someone Is Treated for a Potential Rabies Exposure1

The virus has a capacity to kill 99.9% of the people who become infected, making it one of the deadliest diseases in the world.2,3

The Rabies Virus

Once rabies enters the central nervous system, it is almost 100% fatal4

  • Human infection occurs when the virus is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal either by a bite or scratch5
  • Once a person infected with the rabies virus becomes symptomatic (fever, headache, discomfort), no treatment is proven to prevent the progression to death.1

Treatment of Patients Exposed to the Rabies Virus Is Time-Sensitive

The Five Clinical Stages of Rabies4*

IncubationProdromeAcute Neurological PhaseComaDeath
Duration5 days to >2 years0 – 10 days2 – 7 days5 – 14 daysVariable
Symptoms6NoneFever
Anorexia
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Malaise
Lethargy
Pain or paresthesias at bite site
Hyperventilation
Hypoxia
Aphasia
Lack of coordination
CNS signs (paresis, paralysis)
Hydrophobia
Pharyngeal spasms
Confusion
Delirium
Hallucinations
Marked hyperactivity
Anxiety
Agitation
Depression
Pituitary dysfunction
Hypoventilation
Apnea
Hypotension
Cardiac arrhythmia
Cardiac arrest
Coma
Pneumothorax
Intravascular thrombosis
Secondary infections

*Adapted from CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 2010.4

  • A variable incubation period exists between exposure to the rabies virus and the appearance of symptoms—usually 1 to 3 months, but it could vary from 5 days to more than 2 years4
  • KEDRAB® (Rabies Immune Globulin [Human]) should be given as soon as possible after exposure, but no later than 7 days after the first dose of vaccine6
Read information about the rabies virus and the efficacy and safety of KEDRAB.

KEDRAB Formulary Monograph

Get detailed information about the rabies virus, current post-exposure prophylaxis guidelines, and the efficacy and safety of KEDRAB for rabies exposure.

References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Vital Signs. Rabies: A Forgotten Killer. June 12, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/rabies/. Accessed February 24, 2021. 2. Rupprecht C, Kuzmin I, Meslin F. Lyssaviruses and rabies: current conundrums, concerns, contradictions and controversies. F1000Research. 2017;6(F1000 Faculty Rev):184. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.10416.1. 3. Fooks AR, Banyard AC, Horton DL, Johnson N, McElhinney LM, Jackson AC. Current status of rabies and prospects for elimination. Lancet. 2014;384:1389-1399. 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use of a reduced (4-dose) vaccine schedule for postexposure prophylaxis to prevent human rabies: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010;59(2):1-9. 5. Data on file. Kamada Ltd. 6. Consales CA, Bolzan VL. Rabies review: Immunopathology, clinical aspects and treatment. J Venom Anim Toxins Trop Dis. 2007;13(1); 5-38. 7. KEDRAB [package insert]. Fort Lee, NJ: Kedrion Biopharma Inc.; 2021.