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Anti-Rabis vaccination delayed
I completed a full rabies course (intradermal) on 18 October from a government hospital.
Then on 30 December, I got a scratch again and went to the same hospital. At first, they sent me back saying that 3 months had not passed yet. Later, I went again and this time they gave me booster doses at day 0 and day 3, but there was a 7-day delay. The doses were:
0 dose – 5 January
3rd day dose – 8 January
For the last 10 days, I have been having a pricking or tingling pain above the throat / around the submandibular gland area, like needle poking or ant bites, which comes and goes. This has been happening since 2 January.
I am very scared and want to know why this is happening.?
Please help
Answers (16)
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Based on what you’ve described, this is NOT rabies. Let me be very clear and reassuring here.
• You completed a full intradermal rabies vaccination course on 18 October from a government hospital.
• On 30 December, you had a minor scratch and then received booster doses (Day 0 and Day 3) on 5 Jan and 8 Jan.
• Even though there was a 7-day delay, this does NOT reduce protection in someone who is already fully vaccinated.
The pricking/tingling sensation near the throat or submandibular area that comes and goes is not a rabies symptom. Rabies symptoms do not fluctuate, do not come as mild tingling for days, and do not start like this in a vaccinated person.
This sensation is most consistent with:
• Anxiety-related nerve hypersensitivity
• Muscle tension or cervical/neck nerve irritation
• Submandibular salivary gland irritation
• Stress-induced paresthesia (very common in people worried about rabies)
Rabies pain is severe, progressive, and rapidly worsening, not intermittent needle-like sensations for 10 days.
Next Steps
What you should do now:
• No further rabies vaccine or RIG is needed
• Observe the area locally; if there is:
• Swelling, fever, or worsening pain → see a doctor
• If anxiety is severe:
• A short course of anti-anxiety support or reassurance consult helps a lot
• If the sensation persists beyond 2–3 weeks, a simple evaluation for:
• Neck posture issues
• Local gland inflammation
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
may be done (none are dangerous)
There is no test required for rabies, because clinically and epidemiologically this is already protected exposure.
Health Tips
• Stop repeatedly checking symptoms online (this worsens nerve sensations)
• Keep good hydration and warm fluids
• Gentle neck stretching and posture correction
• Deep breathing exercises when the pricking starts
• Remind yourself: rabies cannot occur after correct vaccination + boosters
⸻
I understand how frightening rabies anxiety can be, but medically you are safe.
If you’d like, an online consultation can help calm your fears and address this nerve-related discomfort properly, so you don’t have to keep worrying alone.
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You are already protected from rabies as you are completed vaccination in October.
The symptoms you mentioned (pricking pain in throat) are not at all related to rabies , it may be due to anxiety or mild throat infection
Next Steps
You can try warm saline gargling twice a day
And levocet at night for 3 days
Health Tips
If it persists you can consult a doctor in person
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You dont be anxious about the disease since you are vaccinated and have also taken booster doses either.
The complaints you have now could be due to common cold or allergies.You can have conservative management like saline gargle,steam inhalation and all before taking medications.
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See a physician or neuro for the same.
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You are protected from rabies.
Get complete blood count done, share results
Drink warm fluids, take voveran 50mg one morning and one evening for 3 days after meals, tab mondeslor one daily for 5 days.
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Since you had completed a full intradermal rabies vaccination in October, you were already protected when the new scratch happened in December, and the 2 booster doses you received in January further strengthened that protection even though they were slightly delayed. The intermittent pricking or tingling sensation in the throat or submandibular area is not how rabies presents and is much more consistent with anxiety-related nerve irritation, muscle tension, or minor local inflammation rather than rabies.
Next Steps
No further rabies vaccine or immunoglobulin is needed because you were already previously vaccinated and received the correct booster schedule. Try to reduce anxiety, maintain good hydration, and avoid repeatedly touching or pressing the neck area. If the sensation continues beyond 2–3 weeks or becomes painful or swollen, you can get a simple ENT or general examination for reassurance.
Health Tips
Rabies does not cause mild tingling for many days; it causes rapidly worsening severe symptoms like fever, agitation, difficulty swallowing, drooling, and hydrophobia. Your vaccination history makes rabies extremely unlikely. Repeated stress and constant checking of the neck can itself trigger nerve-related pricking sensations.
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This is not at all related to rabies.
Consult superspecialist like ent.
Till than
Betadine gargle add 3ml solution in hot to warm water gargle it before meals two times.
Zerodol sp3 times a day after food for five days. Cefexim o200 two times after food for five days.
Montek lc one at night after dinner for 5days.
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You are safe. Your fear is understandable, but medically this is not rabies.please feel free to consult ASAP me on practo for further guidance and evaluation.
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Anxiety
Contact here
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It's more likely anxiety, I want to ask u some questions before conclusion u can join me in practo
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Dr. Navajit Hatibaruah
General Physician
30 yrs exp
Guwahati
U are protected from rabies.No worries
Warm saline water gargle and forget about it
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Needs to be evaluated
Do consult
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Do connect and consult
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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