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Rabies vaccine tobacco chewing
10 months ago cat scratches me then I done rav 4 doses and rig .and 25 days back again cat scratched me and cat died .I took rig and rav 3 doses again . My concern is I have habbit of chewing tobacco. I didn't stop chewing tobacco during vaccine shedule time.it causes rabies please tell me doctors
Answers (13)
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Tobacco is important
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Let me be very clear:
✔ Chewing tobacco during rabies vaccination does NOT cause rabies.
✔ Tobacco does NOT reduce rabies vaccine effectiveness.
✔ Tobacco does NOT interfere with RIG (Rabies Immunoglobulin).
Rabies infection depends only on:
• Exposure to rabid animal saliva
• Virus entering through broken skin or mucosa
• Whether proper vaccine + RIG was given
You have taken:
• First exposure → 4 doses + RIG ✔
• Second exposure (25 days ago) → RIG + 3 doses ✔
This is more than adequate protection.
Tobacco chewing has no role in rabies transmission or vaccine failure.
Next Steps
You do NOT need:
• Repeat vaccination
• Extra booster
• Antibody testing (unless severely immunocompromised)
Since 25 days have passed after the recent scratch:
If rabies was going to occur from that exposure, symptoms would usually start within weeks to months — but you have already received proper post-exposure prophylaxis.
Continue observing normal health.
Only seek care if you develop:
• Fever with neurological symptoms
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hydrophobia
• Agitation
But realistically, this is extremely unlikely because you completed proper treatment.
Health Tips
Important facts:
• Rabies vaccine works through immune response, not affected by chewing tobacco.
• Only severe immune suppression (like chemotherapy, uncontrolled HIV, transplant) affects vaccine response.
• Anxiety after repeated exposures is very common.
However:
While tobacco does NOT affect rabies vaccine, it increases risk of:
• Oral cancer
• Gum disease
• Heart disease
So medically, stopping tobacco is strongly recommended — but not because of rabies.
⸻
You have taken RIG and full vaccine schedule twice.
Your protection is adequate.
Tobacco use did NOT cause rabies and did NOT reduce vaccine effectiveness.
If anxiety about rabies is persisting despite complete vaccination, I recommend discussing this with a doctor — repeated fear after proper prophylaxis is common and manageable.
You are protected.
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Tobacco and rabies are not related to each other. Feel free to contact in case you have any queries
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Chewing tobacco does not cause rabies and does not affect the rabies vaccine. Since you have taken the required doses, you are protected.
Next Steps
There is no need to worry, but try to reduce tobacco for your overall health. Consult me for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Chewing tobacco does not cause rabies, but has many other health hazards. Better quit it ASAP
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If you want to discuss your problem in more detail, feel free to message me on WhatsApp at nine one one nine two five five six nine nine for a detailed free discussion
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Need some more details kindly consult
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No need to worry about it...tobacco don't cause any problem in Rabies...complete you ARV course...
Try to stop chewing tobacco...it can cause many other problems..
Consult for better and further management
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Dr. Kamal Kumar
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rewari
Dear Patient,
Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually via bites or scratches that break the skin. The habit of chewing tobacco does not increase the risk of rabies and has no effect on the effectiveness of the rabies vaccine.
Since you received full post-exposure prophylaxis (RIG + rabies vaccine) both times, your protection is considered adequate. It is important to complete all doses on schedule and follow wound care instructions.
What you should do
- Continue oral hygiene and wound care after any scratches or bites
- Avoid direct contact with stray or sick animals in the future
- Complete any remaining vaccine doses if pending
consult me
- If you develop fever, confusion, difficulty swallowing, or unusual neurological symptoms after an animal exposure (very rare after proper vaccination)
- For any doubts regarding booster doses or follow-up
For further guidance and personalized reassurance you may consult me on Practo anytime.
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Stop chewing tobacco
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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. Sajid Ali
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Kanpur
Tobacco and rabies are not related
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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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