Approaches to the prevention and post-exposure treatment of rabies

Rabies is an acute viral encephalomyelitis that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, although vaccination and early treatment can be effective if administrated after exposure and before clinical rabies develops. Health professionals in primary care are responsible for providing travellers with advice on risk, prevention, pre-exposure vaccination and post-exposure treatment. This article will examine the disease, and the factors that may put travellers at greater risk, and provides practical guidance on vaccination schedules and management. It is concluded that accurate travel health advice is essential to help travellers understand the risks and take appropriate preventive and post-exposure measures.