Common "Rabies Contact Category" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Rabies Contact Category

There are three categories of contact with a rabid animal. Category I is when the animal licks intact skin. Category II is minor scratches without bleeding. And category III includes bites or scratches with bleeding and licking lacerated skin.

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I stroked a stray cat. Will I get rabies?

Query: Hello doctor, Is it possible to get rabies from patting a stray cat and then eating without washing hands? The cat's fur was not moist or wet nor was the cat being aggressive. Please advice.  Read Full »


Dr. Srivastava, Sumit

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com.No. Rabies does not spread that way. There is absolutely no chance to get rabies that way. Generally, it is the bite from a rabid dog or a cat that causes rabies since rabies virus is present in saliva.   Read Full »

Can I get rabies after getting a handshake from a street dog?

Query: Hello doctor, I give milk and bread to street dogs every day. One of them shakes hands with me daily. So when I was playing with it, its paw was in my hand. I experienced that its nails were big, there was no bleeding, only white lines (that I think is normal, because it was the time of winter and m...  Read Full »


Dr. N. Ashok Viswanath

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. Based on your exposure history, there is no need for rabies prophylaxis as there are no visible wound marks and no minor or major bleeding. However, be safe next time. I suggest you avoid coming in contact with street dogs. Y...  Read Full »

Is it safe to drink water from an RO water filter fixed by a mechanic who touched a dog?

Query: Hello doctor, Yesterday I bought an RO (reverse osmosis) filter, and the shopkeeper had a dog in the shop. He touched the dog and then gave the filter to me. And today morning, the mechanic changed the Ro filter, so I am worried about what if there was dog saliva and he set those filters in RO. So I...  Read Full »


Dr. Shubadeep Debabrata Sinha

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. As per the description you gave, there is little reason to worry. Rabies gets transmitted by bites, scratches, and in case if licks in wounded, open areas from animals infected with rabies. By your narrative, the dog was touched and seemed to be a pet dog, which migh...  Read Full »

Can rabies get transmitted through tears?

Query: Hello doctor, I got scratched by a dog, but I do not need a vaccine as I got a rabies vaccine booster dose 7 to 8 days before the incident. Is it possible to get the rabies virus into my son's eye if my wound (caused by the dog) comes in contact with my son's eyes after 24 hours of a dog bite or scr...  Read Full »


Dr. Vinay Dange Ramesh

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Rabies virus is transmitted through direct contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth) with infectious tissue or fluids. Infectious tissues include tears, nervous tissue, saliva, and respiratory tract fluids. Blood, urine, and ...  Read Full »

I have stepped on a dead bird. Is there a chance of rabies contraction?

Query: Hello doctor, How long does a rabies virus survive outside the host? I stepped on a dead bird and I am just a little paranoid. There are no symptoms at present and was wondering what my risk of exposure would be. Kindly advice.  Read Full »


Dr. Shubadeep Debabrata Sinha

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. The rabies virus is fragile under usual temperature and humidity conditions in summer. It is destroyed within a few minutes at temperatures greater than 122 degrees farenheit or 50 degrees Celsius. It survives no more t...  Read Full »

Can I acquire rabies by sharing a drink?

Query: Hello doctor,My roommate was scratched very lightly by a stray cat the other day. Then a couple of days later, I shared a drink with her. Could I get rabies?  Read Full »


Dr. Srivastava, Sumit

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Rabies does not get transmitted by drinking. It is transmitted by a direct bite or scratch from an infected animal. Rest assured that eating or drinking does not transmit rabies. For more information consult an internal medicine physician online --> https://icliniq...  Read Full »

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