A 21-year-old woman died of rabies despite completing all five anti-rabies vaccine doses and receiving rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) after a dog bite, according to a social media post by an ex-Army doctor. The doctor used the case to explain that while rabies is almost always preventable, the treatment can fail if even one critical step is missed during wound care or vaccination. The post has drawn attention because many people believe taking all vaccine doses guarantees protection. The doctor said that is not always true. From improper wound washing to incorrect use of rabies immunoglobulin, several mistakes can reduce the effectiveness of treatment.
Why can anti-rabies treatment fail?
The ex-Army doctor said one of the biggest mistakes is stitching a dog bite wound too early. According to the post, "Stitching a dog bite without first injecting serum (Rabies immunoglobulin/RIG) inside can trap the virus. Doctors should avoid stitching deep dog bites whenever possible."
