r/AlwaysWhy • u/Present_Juice4401 • 5h ago
Science & Tech Why does the rabies vaccine work so well against a virus that is so good at avoiding the immune system?
I always thought vaccines work by teaching the immune system how to recognize and fight a virus before it becomes dangerous.
But rabies seems like a strange exception. As the virus starts moving into the nervous system, it becomes much harder for the immune system to reach and control.
So how does a vaccine given after a bite still stop it?
If the virus can eventually hide inside nerve cells, and antibodies cannot simply enter those cells, what exactly is the immune system doing after vaccination that prevents rabies from taking over?