Getting a shot for rabies during the incubation period may be effective. The incubation period for rabies is usually one to three months, and may be longer than three months in some patients. The length of the incubation period is related to how long it takes for the virus to enter the central nervous system. The incubation period may be shorter if the site of rabies exposure is near the central nervous system such as the head, face, or neck. Usually it takes half a month after the 2nd rabies vaccination for the antibody level in the body to be able to protect the organism from infection. The patient can avoid the onset of the disease as long as the body produces enough antibodies before the onset of the disease, so the earlier the rabies vaccination, the better. The earlier the vaccination is administered, the better. If the patient does not develop an illness after the full vaccination, he or she usually will not develop an illness again, and the vaccination is considered a success. During the period of rabies vaccination, do not drink alcohol, do not eat spicy food and do not do strenuous exercise.