HyperRAB® S/D [Rabies Immune Globulin (Human)]
postexposure prophylaxis for rabies

HyperRAB® S/D Postexposure Treatment for Rabies

Q&A

What is rabies?

Rabies is a disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted by coming into contact with the saliva of an infected animal. Contact is usually derived from a bite, but any contact where the animal's saliva can enter the body (eyes, nose, mouth) can transmit the virus.1

How is it contracted?

Rabies can be contracted if you are bitten, scratched, or come into contact with infected saliva from a wild animal, especially bats (which are the most common source of human contracted rabies). Skunks, raccoons, foxes, as well as more domestic animals, such as dogs, can also transmit the disease.2,3

What are the symptoms?

Those suffering from rabies will experience symptoms that resemble the flu such as fatigue, headaches, fever, and general malaise. These symptoms will usually be followed by more serious symptoms such as hypersalivation, confusion, hallucinations, and slight or partial paralysis. Rabies, once contracted, is almost always fatal.3,4

How can I prevent rabies?

As soon as the incident with the animal has taken place, go directly to the hospital, and if possible, every effort should be made to apprehend the animal. If that is not possible, you should go to the emergency room immediately.1

What is a rabies immune globulin and why isn't a vaccine enough?

A rabies immune globulin is a treatment that contains high levels of rabies antibodies. An immune globulin works much faster than a vaccine, but does not last as long. Because of the potentially life-threatening nature of rabies, doctors will give you a rabies immune globulin shot like HyperRAB S/D and a vaccine to make sure you get the comprehensive care you need.1,5

Quick Facts

  • Rabies is widely spread across the globe. More than 55,000 people die of rabies each year3
  • According to the CDC, the most common source of human rabies in the USA is from bats2
  • According to the World Health Organization (WHO), wound cleansing and administration of a rabies immune globulin, such as HyperRAB S/D, done as soon as possible after potential contact with an animal, can prevent the onset of rabies in virtually 100% of exposures3
  • Once the signs and symptoms of rabies start to appear, there is no treatment and the disease is almost always fatal3

HyperRAB S/D IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION


Rabies vaccine and HyperRAB S/D should be given to all persons suspected of exposure to rabies with one exception: persons who have been previously immunized with rabies vaccine and have a confirmed adequate rabies antibody titer should receive only vaccine.

HyperRAB S/D (Rabies Immune Globulin [Human]) should be given with caution to patients with a history of prior systemic allergic reactions following the administration of human immunoglobulin preparations.

The attending physician who wishes to administer HyperRAB S/D to persons with isolated immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency must weigh the benefits of immunization against the potential risks of hypersensitivity reactions. Such persons have increased potential for developing antibodies to IgA and could have anaphylactic reactions to subsequent administration of blood products that contain IgA.

As with all preparations administered by the intramuscular route, bleeding complications may be encountered in patients with thrombocytopenia or other bleeding disorders.

Soreness at the site of injection and mild temperature elevations may be observed at times. Sensitization to repeated injections has occurred occasionally in immunoglobulin-deficient patients. Angioneurotic edema, skin rash, nephrotic syndrome, and anaphylactic shock have rarely been reported after intramuscular injection so that a causal relationship between immunoglobulin and these reactions is not clear.

Administration of live virus vaccines (e.g., MMR) should be deferred for approximately 3 months after rabies immune globulin (human) administration.

HyperRAB S/D is made from human plasma. Product made from human plasma may contain infectious agents, such as viruses, and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent that can cause disease. There is also the possibility that unknown infectious agents may be present in such products.

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References:

  1. Immunization Action Coalition. Vaccine information-rabies disease: questions and answers. http://www.vaccineinformation.org/rabies/qandadis.asp. Accessed June 16, 2009.

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Questions and answers about rabies, bats, and summer camps. http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/qanda/bats_camps.html. Accessed June 16, 2009.

  3. World Health Organization. Rabies key facts. http://who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs099/en. Accessed June 16, 2009.

  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About rabies. Accessed June 16, 2009.

  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Principles of vaccination. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/prinvac-508.pdf. Accessed June 15, 2009.