Every rabies infection resulted in death until a vaccine was developed by Louis Pasteur and Émile Roux in 1885. Their original vaccine was harvested from infected rabbits, from which the nerve tissue was weakened by allowing it to dry for five to ten days.

Rabies vaccine
Similar nerve tissue-derived vaccines are still used in some countries, as they are much cheaper than modern cell culture vaccines. The human diploid cell rabies vaccine (H.D.C.V.) was started in 1967; however, a new and less expensive purified chicken embryo cell vaccine and purified Vero cell rabies vaccine are now available. A recombinant vaccine called V-RG has been successfully used in the field in Belgium, France, Germany and the United States to prevent outbreaks of rabies in wildlife. Currently pre-exposure immunization has been used in both human and non-human populations, whereas in many jurisdictions domesticated animals are required to be vaccinated.
The widespread vaccination of domestic dogs and cats, the development of effective human vaccines and immunoglobulin treatments, has let to a drop in deaths from rabies especially rabies caused by bat bites, which may go unnoticed by the victim and hence untreated.

Treatments
Post-exposure prophylaxis
Treatment after exposure, known as post-exposure prophylaxis is highly successful in preventing the disease if administered promptly, within ten days of infection.

Thoroughly washing the wound as soon as possible with soap and water for approximately five minutes is very effective at reducing the number of viral particles. If available, a virucidal antiseptic such as povidone-iodine, iodine tincture, aqueous iodine solution or alcohol (ethanol) should be applied after washing...Exposed mucous membranes such as eyes, nose or mouth should be flushed well with water. According to medics, patients receive one dose of human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) and four doses of rabies vaccine over a fourteen day period. The immunoglobulin dose should not exceed 20 units per kilogram body weight. HRIG is very expensive and constitutes the vast majority of the cost of post-exposure treatment. As much as possible of this dose should be infiltrated around the bites, with the remainder being given by deep intramuscular injection at a site distant from the vaccination site.

The first dose of rabies vaccine is given as soon as possible after exposure, with additional doses on days three, seven and fourteen after the first. Patients who have previously received pre-exposure vaccina-tion do not receive the immuno-globulin, only the post-exposure vaccinations on day 0 and 2.
Modern cell-based vaccines are similar to flu shots in terms of pain and side effects. The old nerve-tissue-based vaccinations require multiple painful injections into the abdomen with a large needle, are cheap, and are now used only in remote poor areas, but are being phased out and replaced by affordable WHO ID (intradermal) vaccination regimens.

Intramuscular vaccination should be given into the deltoid, not gluteal area which has been associated with vaccination failure due to injection into fat rather than muscle. In infants the lateral thigh is used as for routine childhood vaccinations.
Finding a bat in the room of a sleeping infant is regarded as an indication for post-exposure prophylaxis. The recommen-dation for the precautionary use of post-exposure prophylaxis in ‘occult bat encounters’ where there is no recognized contact has been questioned in the medical literature based on a cost-benefit analysis.

Compulsory medical treatment after exposure to rabies
For persons who have never been vaccinated
An exposed person who has never received any rabies vaccine will first receive a dose of rabies immune globulin (a blood product that contains antibodies against rabies), which gives immediate, short-term protection. This shot should be given in or near the wound area.
They should also be given a series of rabies vaccinations. The first dose should be given as soon as possible after the exposure. Additional doses should be given on days three, seven, and 14 after the first shot. These shots should be given in the deltoid muscle of the arm. Children can also receive the shots in the muscle of the thigh. Properly administered postexposure treatment for rabies has never been known to fail.
Treatment after an exposure requires receiving a dose of rabies immune globulin and four doses of vaccine. Vaccination before exposure requires only three doses of vaccine and no immune globulin. Booster doses of vaccine are recommended for some persons at high risk of rabies exposure. Consult medical facilities for treatment if you think you are at risk.

For immunized persons when bitten by a rabid animal
You are not totally protected. A vaccinated person should receive two more doses of rabies vaccine; one dose immediately and the other three days later.
Vaccination simplifies treatment by eliminating the need for rabies immune globulin and decreasing the number of doses of vaccine needed after an exposure. This is important because many people at high risk may be working in areas where they may not be able to get immediate medical attention, or where immunizing products are not readily available. Being vaccinated might also provide protection against unknown exposures to rabies (bat bite, etc.)

NB: Remember medical treatment must be administered by trained and certified practitioner because self medication can cause you more harm than good.