How often should rabies antibody titers be monitored?

Generally, rabies antibody titer testing is primarily conducted for individuals at high risk of exposure. The frequency of rabies antibody titer testing mainly depends on the level of exposure risk. If the exposure risk is high, testing every six months is usually recommended; if the exposure risk is low, testing every two years is generally advised. Detailed explanations are as follows:

For individuals who have prolonged contact with the rabies virus, the risk of exposure is higher, and thus the likelihood of infection is also increased. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct rabies antibody titer testing every six months, primarily through serological testing methods. If the antibody titer is below 0.5 IU/mL, it indicates a lack of protective antibodies against rabies virus, and a booster vaccination is required.

Individuals who routinely have prolonged contact with dogs may also be exposed to the rabies virus. However, the risk of exposure for these individuals is relatively low, and thus the infection risk is lower. Therefore, rabies antibody titer testing is usually recommended every two years. If the rabies antibody titer is found to be below the normal range, the management approach is the same as mentioned above.

It should be noted that to reduce the risk of rabies virus infection, other preventive measures should also be taken, such as wearing protective gloves. Additionally, attention should be paid to lifestyle adjustments in daily life, such as regular exercise and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, to enhance overall immune function.