World Rabies Day, a health observance started in 2007, is commemorated every year on 28 th September to raise awareness about the prevention and eradication of rabies. The theme for 2022 is "Rabies: One Health, Zero Death." This article focuses on post-exposure prophylaxis in children, a part of prophylaxis guidelines issued by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) in 2022. Local treatment of wounds All animal bites should be thoroughly washed for 10–15 minutes with an abundant amount of water and soap. Povidone iodine and surgical spirit should be applied after drying the wounds.
Routine suturing and surgical dressing are not recommended. Stay sutures can be used to stop bleeding after infiltrating a wound with rabies immunoglobulins/rabies monoclonal antibodies. Early and proper local treatment of wounds reduces the risk of rabies by almost 50%. ##Click here to know passive…
