# Rabies: What to Do After a Bite, Symptoms, and Vaccine > Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is preventable after a bite. What to do in the first minutes, where to go in Georgia, and how treatment works. ## What rabies is and how people get it Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord. It lives in the saliva of an infected animal and enters the body through a bite, a scratch, or saliva on broken skin or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth. According to WHO, dogs are behind 99% of human cases, but cats, foxes, jackals, bats, and other wild mammals can carry the virus too. A vaccinated animal can still be sick, so "he's had his shots" does not replace a doctor's visit. Here is what matters most: once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, but before that point it can be stopped. Post-exposure treatment does that: washing the wound, a course of vaccine, and, when the doctor judges it necessary, rabies immunoglobulin. ## What to do right after a bite, scratch, or saliva contact 1. Wash the wound or the contact area with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes. This is the most important thing you can do yourself. 2. Treat the edges with an antiseptic such as iodine, alcohol, or chlorhexidine. Do not stitch or cauterize the wound on your own. 3. See a doctor as soon as possible: an emergency room, urgent care center, or clinic. Do not wait for the wound to heal or for the animal to be observed. 4. Note where and when it happened, what the animal looked like, and whether it has an owner. This helps the doctor choose the right approach. The doctor will assess the wound and the type of contact and decide whether you need the vaccine course alone or immunoglobulin as well (given in and around the wound). The course is several doses on a schedule your doctor sets, and missing visits is not an option. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and other illnesses are not reasons to skip treatment after exposure: at this level of risk, doctors weigh things differently than they do for routine vaccination. ## Where to get a rabies shot in Georgia In Georgia, post-exposure rabies care (the vaccine and, when needed, immunoglobulin) is provided under the state immunization program with no co-payment for citizens and permanent residents; in an emergency, anyone in Georgia can receive it when life is at risk. After a bite, go to a hospital emergency department, an urgent care center, or a polyclinic: they will treat the wound and tell you where to get the course. Sorting out details is no reason to delay: get care first. In Georgia, the doctor who handles bites and rabies vaccination is called a rabiologist (რაბიოლოგი); at an ordinary clinic you may be referred to an infectious disease specialist or a surgeon. You can find doctors in your city in the block below. If the wound is deep, on the face or hand, or you are not up to date on tetanus shots, tell the doctor: you may also need [tetanus prevention](https://bigmed.ge/en/diseases/tetanus). ## Rabies symptoms The incubation period is usually 2 to 3 months but can range from a week to a year. At first the bite site may itch, hurt, or tingle, with weakness, fever, and anxiety. Then comes agitation, fear of water and drafts (throat spasms when trying to drink), heavy drooling, and hallucinations, or, in the paralytic form, gradual muscle paralysis. There is no cure once the disease has developed, so do not wait for symptoms. ## Vaccination before exposure: who needs it A pre-exposure course is offered to people who often work with animals or travel to places where rabies is common and medical care is far away: veterinarians, shelter and laboratory workers, hunters, cave explorers, and travelers to remote areas. Georgian clinics use the Verorab vaccine for this. Your doctor decides the schedule and whether you need a booster. Pre-exposure vaccination does not remove the need to see a doctor after a bite: you will need extra doses, but usually no immunoglobulin. Clinic prices for the vaccine in Georgia are shown below on this page. ## When to see a doctor urgently - after any bite, scratch, or saliva on broken skin or mucous membranes from an unknown, wild, or stray animal; - after a bite from a pet that is acting strangely, has fallen ill, or died within 10 days; - after contact with a bat, even if you see no bite mark (a bat bite can be almost invisible); - if, after contact, you develop itching, pain, or numbness at the bite site, fever, or throat spasms when drinking: call an ambulance (112). ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I skip the shots if the dog is a vaccinated pet? That is the doctor's call. The doctor considers the type of contact, the wound, and what is known about the animal. Do not assume the contact was safe, especially if the animal cannot be checked. ### How long do I have to see a doctor? The same day is best. If days have passed but you have no symptoms, still go: treatment can be started later, and the earlier it begins, the more reliable the protection. ### Are the shots painful, and is the vaccine safe? Modern vaccines are given in the upper arm (the thigh for children under 2), like a routine shot. Pain at the injection site, tiredness, and a mild fever can occur. Serious reactions are rare. ### Can rabies be cured once symptoms start? No. There is no reliable treatment for developed rabies, which is why all care is aimed at acting before the first symptoms. ### How do I protect my pet? Vaccinate your dog and cat as your veterinarian advises. In Georgia, pet vaccination is organized by the National Food Agency, including free vaccination on campaign days. ## Related articles - 🦠 Rabies in Georgia: What You Need to Know, Symptoms, Prevention, and When to See a Doctor: https://bigmed.ge/en/blog/rabies-symptoms-transmission-first-aid-and-prevention (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/blog/rabies-symptoms-transmission-first-aid-and-prevention.md) ## Symptoms - Animal bite: https://bigmed.ge/en/symptoms/animal-bite --- Canonical: https://bigmed.ge/en/diseases/rabies Country: Georgia (GE), the country in the South Caucasus Updated: 2026-10-04T14:14:37+04:00