Animal bites are medical emergencies. Whether it’s from a pet or a stray animal, every bite should be treated seriously because of the risk of rabies. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is completely preventable with the right treatment.

Here’s a clear guide on what to do after getting bitten, how to give first aid, what the vaccination protocol is, and why even vaccinated animals can still pose a risk.

Step 1: Wash the Wound Immediately

As soon as you are bitten, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes. This helps reduce the risk of infection by physically removing some of the virus particles. After washing, apply antiseptic such as povidone iodine or alcohol if available.

Why 15 Minutes?

Rabies virus can stay on the surface of the wound. Washing the bite with soap and running water for 15 minutes flushes out virus particles before they enter the nerves. Soap also destroys the virus, and this step can significantly lower the chance of infection. The 15-minute wash is a WHO‑recommended emergency measure that buys you time before you reach a treatment center.

This recommendation is supported by the World Health Organization’s Expert Consultation on Rabies: Third Report (2018), which states that immediate and thorough washing of the wound for at least 15 minutes is the most effective first‑aid measure to reduce the risk of rabies.

The 15‑minute duration is based on laboratory and observational studies showing that shorter washing times such as 5 or 10 minutes may leave a significant viral load on the wound surface, while longer times beyond 15 minutes do not offer significantly greater benefit and may delay reaching medical care. The goal is to achieve maximum virus removal within a practical time window that is effective and doable at the point of first aid.

Experimental studies such as by Cabasso et al. (1971) and Wilde et al. (1999) have demonstrated that proper wound washing with soap and water significantly reduces the likelihood of rabies virus establishing infection in animal models.

Step 2: Go to the Nearest Animal Bite Treatment Center

Do not wait for signs or symptoms. Go to a health facility as soon as possible. The health worker will assess the bite and determine if you need anti‑rabies shots, rabies immunoglobulin, or wound suturing. Do not close the wound on your own.

Rabies Vaccination Protocol Based on Bite Category

Category I (Low risk): 
Touching or feeding animals
Licks on intact skin

Management: No treatment needed. Wash with soap and water only.

Category II (Moderate risk): 
Nibbling of uncovered skin
Minor scratches without bleeding

Management: Rabies vaccination on days 0, 3, and 7

Category III (High risk): 
Bite or scratch with bleeding
Lick on broken skin or exposure of mucous membranes to saliva

Management:

• Rabies vaccination on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28
• Rabies immunoglobulin on day 0

Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) provides immediate passive protection by neutralizing the virus at the wound site before your own immune system responds to the vaccine. It is injected directly into and around the bite wound on day 0 and is required only for Category III exposures in individuals who have never been vaccinated before. There are two types of RIG available in the Philippines: equine rabies immunoglobulin (ERIG) and human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG). ERIG is more commonly used in public health centers because it is less expensive, while HRIG is available in some private hospitals.

PhilHealth Coverage

PhilHealth provides the Animal Bite Treatment (ABT) package, currently covering ₱5,850 per animal bite case, usable once per exposure (PhilHealth). The benefit includes rabies vaccines, RIG, local wound care, tetanus toxoid, antibiotics, and necessary supplies like syringes and disinfectants. To avail, treatment must be done at a PhilHealth‑accredited Animal Bite Treatment Center.

Why You Still Need Rabies Vaccine Even If the Animal Is Vaccinated

Some people assume that if the dog or cat that bit them is vaccinated, they no longer need treatment. That is not true. Even vaccinated animals can sometimes get infected, especially if their vaccination is incomplete or not updated. Also, not all animals are observed closely enough to confirm they are healthy.

Vaccination is recommended after a bite because it gives you direct protection in case the animal was unknowingly infected. The vaccine teaches your body to fight the virus before it reaches your nervous system.

When Are Rabies Boosters Needed

• If you already completed a full rabies vaccination in the past, you may still need a booster if bitten again.
• If the bite happens within 3 months of your last complete vaccination, you usually do not need another vaccine.
• If it has been more than 3 months, you will need 2 booster doses of the rabies vaccine. These are given on day 0 and day 3. You no longer need rabies immunoglobulin if you were already vaccinated before.

The same rabies vaccine is used whether for full post‑exposure prophylaxis or for booster doses.

The doctor will check your records to confirm your last vaccination. Always keep a copy of your vaccine certificate.

In the Philippines, rabies vaccines used include purified vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV) and purified chick embryo cell vaccine (PCECV). Common brands available in Animal Bite Treatment Centers and hospitals include Verorab, Rabipur, and Speeda. These are given via intramuscular or intradermal route, depending on the facility’s protocol.

Who Can Safely Receive the Rabies Vaccine

• All age groups can safely receive rabies vaccines, including infants, children, adults, and the elderly, as long as they are assessed by a healthcare provider.
• Pregnant women can safely be vaccinated against rabies. The risk of rabies outweighs any theoretical concern, and vaccination is strongly recommended when exposure occurs.
• Breastfeeding mothers may receive the rabies vaccine without the need to stop breastfeeding.
• Individuals using hormonal contraceptives (such as pills, injectables, implants) can receive the rabies vaccine without affecting the effectiveness of their birth control method.
• Rabies vaccines may be administered alongside other vaccines, such as tetanus toxoid and routine childhood vaccines including measles, polio, DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), and hepatitis B, as long as they are given at different injection sites using separate syringes.

Rabies vaccines are safe and compatible with most medications, vitamins, and maintenance treatments. What matters most is timely vaccination to prevent a disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

Final Reminder

Always treat every bite as serious. Even if the animal looks healthy or is your pet, rabies cannot be ruled out just by appearance. The best way to protect yourself is by getting the complete series of anti‑rabies vaccines after exposure.

For those managing community health programs, make sure referral systems to Animal Bite Treatment Centers are well established and that your community knows how and where to get vaccinated.

Protocol for a well-performed rabies post-exposure prophylaxis delivery

On April 16, 2018, the Department of Health issued Administrative Order No. 2018-0013 to update and standardize the national guidelines for managing rabies exposures in the Philippines.

Sources:

• Department of Health Philippines – National Rabies Prevention and Control Program
• World Health Organization – Rabies Fact Sheet
• Philippine National Rabies Manual 2019 Edition
• World Health Organization. (2018). WHO Expert Consultation on Rabies: Third Report. WHO Technical Report Series 1012
• Cabasso, V.J., et al. (1971). Antirabies treatment with rabies immune globulin. American Journal of Diseases of Children, 121(5), 469–475
• Wilde, H., et al. (1999). What is the role of wound washing in rabies prevention? Annals of Emergency Medicine, 33(2), 172–176