{"id":1303,"date":"2024-11-01T12:10:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-01T12:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/?page_id=1303"},"modified":"2026-09-08T17:00:37","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T16:00:37","slug":"nhs-lothian-travel-clinics-emergencies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/nhs-lothian-travel-clinics-emergencies\/","title":{"rendered":"NHS Lothian Travel Clinics &#8211; Emergencies &#8211; Animal Bite"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignfull has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile headingblockmargin gowide has-white-background-color has-background\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 42%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><div class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-host wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover\"><a class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2022\/03\/travel-clinic-small.png\" data-wpcp-wp-lb-image=\"1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"134\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinic\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2022\/03\/travel-clinic-small.png\" alt=\"NHS Lothian Travel Clinics\" class=\"wp-image-508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2022\/03\/travel-clinic-small.png 350w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2022\/03\/travel-clinic-small-300x115.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2022\/03\/travel-clinic-small.png\" data-fancybox=\"wpcp-wp-img-508\" class=\"wpcp-lightbox-trigger wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon wpcp-position-top-right wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover wpcp-global-lightbox-icon wpcp-lightbox-icon--global wpcp-lb-icon-style-default\" data-wpcp-lb-icon-source=\"global\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" data-thumb-src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2022\/03\/travel-clinic-small-300x115.png\" data-wpcp-lb-single=\"1\"><span class=\"wpcp-icon-container\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\"><path d=\"M17.6585 16.025L14.2437 12.6198C15.1716 11.3338 15.6121 9.7613 15.4871 8.1819C15.362 6.60251 14.6795 5.11847 13.5607 3.99351C12.936 3.36206 12.1916 2.86066 11.3709 2.51845C10.5502 2.17623 9.66952 2 8.77995 2C7.89039 2 7.00969 2.17623 6.18899 2.51845C5.36829 2.86066 4.62395 3.36206 3.99919 3.99351C3.36594 4.61649 2.86312 5.35871 2.51992 6.17708C2.17673 6.99545 2 7.87365 2 8.76068C2 9.64772 2.17673 10.5259 2.51992 11.3443C2.86312 12.1627 3.36594 12.9049 3.99919 13.5279C5.11957 14.6901 6.62279 15.4103 8.23285 15.5562C9.84291 15.7022 11.4517 15.2641 12.7639 14.3224L16.1788 17.7275C16.3849 17.9034 16.6473 18 16.9186 18C17.1899 18 17.4523 17.9034 17.6585 17.7275C18.1138 17.16 18.1138 16.5925 17.6585 16.025ZM5.59278 12.0523C5.16258 11.6298 4.82094 11.1263 4.58774 10.5709C4.35455 10.0156 4.23446 9.41951 4.23446 8.81744C4.23446 8.21536 4.35455 7.6193 4.58774 7.06394C4.82094 6.50859 5.16258 6.00503 5.59278 5.58257C6.01644 5.15359 6.52144 4.81292 7.07838 4.58039C7.63532 4.34786 8.23308 4.22811 8.83687 4.22811C9.44066 4.22811 10.0384 4.34786 10.5954 4.58039C11.1523 4.81292 11.6573 5.15359 12.081 5.58257C12.5112 6.00503 12.8528 6.50859 13.086 7.06394C13.3192 7.6193 13.4393 8.21536 13.4393 8.81744C13.4393 9.41951 13.3192 10.0156 13.086 10.5709C12.8528 11.1263 12.5112 11.6298 12.081 12.0523C11.6573 12.4813 11.1523 12.822 10.5954 13.0545C10.0384 13.287 9.44066 13.4068 8.83687 13.4068C8.23308 13.4068 7.63532 13.287 7.07838 13.0545C6.52144 12.822 6.01644 12.4813 5.59278 12.0523Z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"emergencies-animal-bite\" class=\"wp-block-heading colourtext\">Emergencies &#8211; Animal Bite.<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Lothian we aim to provide gold standard travel medicine services through our team of Clinical Nurse Specialists and Travel Medicine Consultants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On this page you will find advice and information on what to do in travel-related emergencies.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1303_14334b-00 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1303_14334b-00 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-1303_14334b-00\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"789\" height=\"945\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinic\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2022\/03\/things4.jpg\" alt=\"Planning a journey with a map\" class=\"wp-image-489 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2022\/03\/things4.jpg 789w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2022\/03\/things4-250x300.jpg 250w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2022\/03\/things4-768x920.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 789px) 100vw, 789px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull gowide has-light-accent-green-background-color has-background\" style=\"padding-right:30px;padding-left:30px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide\" style=\"padding-right:15px;padding-left:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:0px;padding-left:0px;flex-basis:100%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><sup><sub><strong>EMERGENCIES &#8211; ANIMAL BITE<\/strong><\/sub><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9a30c031 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 id=\"treatment-after-a-bite-or-scratch\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treatment after a bite or scratch&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have been bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a high risk country or that might have rabies, you will need specialist medical treatment to stop you getting rabies. This is called post-exposure treatment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Post-exposure treatment involves:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>cleaning and disinfecting the wound immediately&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a course of the rabies vaccine \u2013 you&#8217;ll need to have 4 doses over a month if you have not been vaccinated against rabies before, or 2 doses a few days apart if you have&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>in some cases, a medicine called immunoglobulin is given into and around the wound \u2013 this provides immediate but short-term protection if there&#8217;s a significant chance you have been infected&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Treatment should be started quickly, ideally within a few hours of being bitten or scratched.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If this happens while you&#8217;re abroad, get local medical help immediately. Do not wait until you have returned to the UK.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have already returned to the UK without getting medical advice, it&#8217;s still a good idea to get help, even if it&#8217;s been several weeks since you were bitten or scratched.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Post-exposure treatment is nearly 100% effective if it&#8217;s started before any symptoms of rabies appear.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 id=\"treatment-in-lothian\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treatment in Lothian&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please note that post exposure Rabies treatment cannot be provided by the pre-travel team or clinics. It is administered by a specialist unit in the Western General Hospital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Normal process 9am &#8211; 7pm:<\/strong><br>To arrange treatment or continuation of vaccines given after a bite please ask your healthcare provider (GP, Minor Injuries, 111) to call the Western General Hospital and ask for the &#8220;ID registrar on call&#8221; who will arrange for you to be seen at the Regional Infectious Disease Unit. It is useful to have all the patients&#8217; personal details as well as dates of the bite and any treatment started when calling for a referral.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the case of emergency \/ immediate high risk rabies risk exposure overnight <strong>(7pm &#8211; 9am ONLY)<\/strong> please call NHS 111.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Health professionals can view the full referral process on RefHelp&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/infectiousdiseases\/animal-bites-and-rabies-risk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Animal Bites and Rabies Risk \u2013 RefHelp (nhslothian.scot)<\/a>&nbsp;or Green book (ch 27, p12&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/media\/647073aac38c550012342bea\/Rabies-green-book-chapter-27-May-2023.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rabies green book chapter 27 (publishing.service.gov.uk)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Regional Infectious Disease Unit&nbsp;<\/strong><br>Western General Hospital&nbsp;<br>Crewe Road South<br>Edinburgh<br>EH4 2XU<br>Telephone: 0131 537 1000&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-fsb-flexible-spacer fsb-flexible-spacer\"><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--lg\" style=\"height:15px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--md\" style=\"height:15px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--sm\" style=\"height:15px\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-image.kb-image1303_29d825-24:not(.kb-specificity-added):not(.kb-extra-specificity-added){margin-top:-35px;}.kb-image1303_29d825-24 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-image.kb-image1303_29d825-24:not(.kb-specificity-added):not(.kb-extra-specificity-added){margin-top:-35px;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-image.kb-image1303_29d825-24:not(.kb-specificity-added):not(.kb-extra-specificity-added){margin-top:-35px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image1303_29d825-24 absolutecenter\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"71\" height=\"72\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinic\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2022\/03\/arrowdown.png\" alt=\"Down Arrow\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-621\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section alignfull getwid-section-content-full-width caringcover gowide\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__wrapper getwid-padding-left-medium getwid-padding-right-medium getwid-margin-left-none getwid-margin-right-none\" style=\"min-height:350px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:0px\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__inner-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__background-holder\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__background has-background\" style=\"background-color:#954B6A;background-image:url('https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2022\/03\/cofee-scaled.jpg');background-position:center center;background-repeat:no-repeat\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__background-image-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__background-image\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2022\/03\/cofee-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Travel Magazine with Cups of Coffee and a Mobile Phone\"\/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__foreground\" style=\"opacity:0.8;background-color:#000000;mix-blend-mode:\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__content\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__inner-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color\" id=\"travelers-are-welcome-to-book-online-or-call-us-to-make-an-appointment\">Travelers are welcome to book online or call us to make an appointment.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignwide is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/online-booking-form\/\">Book Online<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:0131 537 2823\">Call: 0131 537 2823<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">As a busy service we appreciate being informed of any cancellation or expected late arrival. We may not be able to accommodate delayed arrivals within the same clinic\/day.<br>Please see &#8220;find a clinic&#8221; section for directions and journey planners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Please note our booking line is staffed Mon \u2013 Friday 9-5pm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section alignfull getwid-section-content-full-width copyright gowide\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__wrapper getwid-padding-left-small getwid-padding-right-small getwid-padding-tablet-top-none getwid-padding-tablet-bottom-none getwid-padding-tablet-left-small getwid-padding-tablet-right-small getwid-padding-mobile-top-none getwid-padding-mobile-bottom-none getwid-padding-mobile-left-small getwid-padding-mobile-right-small getwid-margin-left-none getwid-margin-right-none getwid-align-items-tablet-center getwid-align-items-mobile-center getwid-justify-content-tablet-center getwid-justify-content-mobile-center\" style=\"padding-top:15px;padding-bottom:0px\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__inner-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__background-holder\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__background has-background has-accent-colour-background-color\"><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__foreground\" style=\"opacity:0.8;background-color:#002A00;mix-blend-mode:\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__content\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__inner-content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-standard-white-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><sup><sub>ORIGINAL GRAPHICS COURTESY OF <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freepik.com\/\">FREEPICK.COM<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/freeicons.io\/\">FREEICONS.IO<\/a><\/sub><\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EMERGENCIES &ndash; ANIMAL BITE Treatment after a bite or scratch&nbsp; If you have been bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a high risk country or that might have rabies, you will need specialist medical treatment to stop you getting rabies. This is called post-exposure treatment.&nbsp; Post-exposure treatment involves:&nbsp; Treatment should be started quickly,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/wholewidth.php","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-1303","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"NHS Lothian","author_link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/author\/nhs-lothian\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"EMERGENCIES &ndash; ANIMAL BITE Treatment after a bite or scratch&nbsp; If you have been bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a high risk country or that might have rabies, you will need specialist medical treatment to stop you getting rabies. This is called post-exposure treatment.&nbsp; Post-exposure treatment involves:&nbsp; Treatment should be started quickly,","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1303","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1303"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1303\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5423,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1303\/revisions\/5423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/travelclinics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}