Rabies is a dangerous virus, and it is highly recommended to take the vaccine within 24 hours after being bitten by an infected animal. If an infected animal licks open wounds or mucous membranes like eyes or mouth, it can transmit the virus. Also, if the animal licks its nails and scratches a person, it can spread the virus. A human cannot transmit the virus to another human. It is usually spread from an infected animal to animal either by biting or open wound contact with the saliva.
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Kindly address my concerns related to rabies anxiety.
Query: Hello doctor,I came here for a second opinion and to get answers to some questions. I spoke to a doctor of general medicine today for my rabies anxiety. The incidents were as follows. Four years ago, a German shepherd of my friend scratched my hand. The dog died one and a half years after he bit me.... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Here are your answers: 1. Even if there is no history in your locality, any dog can get infected with rabies. You need to follow the dog who had bitten you for ten days. If it is alive after ten days, then he was not rabid. If you cannot identify that dog or cannot ... Read Full »
Can I have rabies even after getting vaccinated after dog bite?
Query: Hi doctor, I was bitten by a dog last year. The gate of the dog was wide open and when I passed near it, the dog bit me. It bit me on my right leg. After that, I rushed to the hospital for vaccination. The nurse injected something on the wound every time when I went to the hospital. They also injec... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. You do not need to worry because you are safe and you do not have rabies. So please leave your fear. Usually, when the dog dies within two weeks we suspect that the dog can have rabies. But in your case, it has been nine months, and you got va... Read Full »
When I visited my friend, a dog sniffed and licked my feet. Am I at rabies risk?
Query: Hello doctor,I visited my friend's house, and while I was talking to him, his dog came and sniffed my leg and touched my feet with his mouth. Should I take a vaccine for anti-rabies? Though the dog did not bite me, I am anxious about getting rabies or infection. Kindly suggest if I am at risk. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Rabies is caused by bites and scratches, and there are recommendations for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) rabies vaccine. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies exposure categories are: Category I: Touching or feedi... Read Full »
What happens if my child gets rabies?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a mother of a 10-year-old boy. I want to know if rabies is a serious disease. So what are the symptoms we should be watchful for and how to prevent them?Please help. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query. 1. Rabies is a life-threatening disease. Yes, it can usually end up in loss of life if appropriate measures are not taken post-bite. 2. Common symptoms of rabies are fear of water (hydrophobia) and obtundation (severe lethargy). However, ... Read Full »
Will the antirabies vaccine work if taken after 13 days?
Query: Hello doctor,I had taken two antirabies shots ten and three months back for a dog bite. A shrew that had entered the house bit me on my back two weeks back. There was no bleeding even on applying pressure on the area, but the next day I noticed a small clot on my back like the one we have after a sc... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Rabies vaccination should ideally be started on day 0. But, you have not developed any symptoms. So, it is not late to start vaccination now. You should complete the five-injection rabies schedule. Since it was a category-2 exposure, the immunoglobulin is not requir... Read Full »
My foot is swollen after being scratched by cat. Kindly help.
Query: Hello doctor,I was scratched by a cat in my left foot and a little blood went out. It was like three or four days until now, when I noticed that my left foot is a little swollen. Am I already infected by rabies? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Because of the dog bite, inflammation can develop and in inflammation swelling can occur and pain also can be there. The incubation period for rabies is two weeks. So, you are not having rabies but to prevent it if you are not vaccinated then get rabies vaccine because... Read Full »
We have a new pet dog. Should we vaccinate for rabies?
Query: Hi doctor,I am a 37-year-old woman. We bought a new pet dog. It is just 6 months old. I have 2 kids at home along with my husband. My kids are 12 and 10 years old. Should we all get ourselves vaccinated for rabies? Or is it important to vaccinate the dog first? I have small children, and I am really... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for writing, and I understand your concern. It is important to get the dog vaccinated first. You do not need to be vaccinated unless the dog bites you. If the dog is fully vaccinated, then kids and you can play with the dog with no issues at all. If the dog is n... Read Full »
My pet dog bit me a week ago and it died two days back to an infection. Do I have rabies?
Query: Hi doctor, What is the possibility of rabies if a 2-month-old unvaccinated dog that bit me dies of parvovirus infection within a week after the bite? My 2-month-old pup bit me by mistake while playing with other puppies. After two days, I found my dog sick, often vomiting, and it was not eating. I t... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your concern in detail and will surely help you out. The chances of you acquiring rabies are impossible. I will state the reasons. 1. The dog was your pet. Pet dogs rarely acquire rabies if they have been exposed to rabid dogs. 2. It has been... Read Full »
Can rabies virus survive outside host if exposed to sunlight?
Query: Hello doctor, Can rabies virus survive outside host on grass or leaves if it is exposed to sunlight? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Usually, UV rays of the sun are known to kill the virus. So usually they do not survive outside the body when exposed to the sunlight. Read Full »
I was playing with a puppy, which started touching my finger with its teeth. Does it really matter?
Query: Hello doctor, A small puppy was playing with me and then he started touching my finger with its teeth. Does that really matter? Kindly suggest. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your query and understand your concern. As long as there is no break of the skin - it does not matter. Some general information: 1. Rabies vaccine should be taken if there is a dog bite or when the dog licks the mucous membrane structures like the nose, eye... Read Full »
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