u/VikingChristmas

I was very mildly scratched by a stray cat that we were attempting to relocate last Thursday.

The cat was very friendly, rubbing up against us and accepting food and treats. I was only scratched when it climbed across my lap in the car, leaving small punctures on my thigh and one on my rib as it attempted to balance itself.

The hospital gave me a rabies vaccine with HRIG around the rib wound at around 1AM on Friday (this happened late Thursday night, but the vaccine was technically administered on Friday).

They told me to come back for three more shots, with Monday being my second dose.

The initial shots gave me some side effects like night sweats, chills, clamminess, and general flu-like symptoms.

Upon arriving for my second shots, the ER physician said my reaction was quite unusual and she suspected “serum sickness”, to which I personally don’t think is entirely correct.
She was adamant that I not receive the second shot. I even had her consult with another physician there, who concurred with her.

I had some mild night sweats on my legs last night, but overall I feel better.

I’ve been extremely anxious about not receiving the second dose, so I contacted the health department and the epidemiology office yesterday, and they said they’ll try to get in touch with their physicians at the CDC for a recommendation.

If they do advise me to go and continue the shots, is it ok if the second dose has been delayed by 3-4 days by the time of its administration?

I have read the FAQ.

Location: Corinth, MS
Country: USA
Date of possible exposure: 8/13
Type: Scratch/poke
Animal: Cat, stray
Date of my vaccine: 8/14, ~1AM

I am curious (and quite anxious) to know if they did my PEP vaccines correctly.

I got some very minor cat scratches (cat accidentally scratched me while climbing on me — outdoor cat, likely a stray, although it was very friendly and affectionate; it exhibited behaviors indicating it had been around people before.)

I got some small, dot-like punctures above my knee on my thigh, and one slightly worse puncture on my ribs — both areas drew some blood, so I went to the ER for tetanus/rabies evaluation.

——————

I ended up getting a bunch of injections in this order:

(1) they first came in and gave me a tetanus shot in my left deltoid

(2) the nurse then left and came back in with a bunch of syringes (I think she said “9 shots” in total)

(3) they started by giving me an injection (or 2, I don’t remember) in each hip (upper gluteal area), these felt like a cold liquid going down each leg — these are particularly the ones that I am most concerned about, specifically because the CDC guidelines say to avoid the gluteal area when it comes to the vaccine and HRIG

(4) after the gluteal injections, I was poked numerous times with a small needle around the worst puncture, which was the one on my rib — I assume this was HRIG infiltration — (note: they did not do any small pokes on the tiny dot-like punctures on my leg)

(5) I then received another left deltoid injection, which I assume was the vaccine itself, as I know that one must be administered in a deltoid

(6) the last injection I remember receiving was a painful, thick-gauge needle that they jabbed into my right deltoid — I am unsure what that one was, maybe more HRIG? I don’t know.

——————

I called the hospital and asked for clarification on two things:

(1) the lack of HRIG pokes on my tiny dot-like marks on my leg, to which they said was appropriate, as prioritizing the worst wound closest to my head was proper administration.

(2) I called back later and asked about the gluteal injections, which they also said was standard for them and that according to my chart (which I’m unable to access) they did, in fact, put the vaccine itself in my left deltoid.

——————

There’s a lot of mixed information regarding HRIG in the gluteal area, and I’m wondering if they appropriately administered my PEP in its entirety.

Any professional input would be greatly appreciated.

(I have read the FAQ.)