Can rat spread rabies?
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I am a 25 year old male. I went to a party and slept at an unhygienic place. There were a few rats around and now I am scared if any of them had bitten me. I am worried that I may get rabies. I cannot see any bite marks, though but I cannot shake the feeling off. Should I get rabies vaccine? Will it even work as it has been more six days now? I came to know from the internet that rats cannot cause rabies. I would not want to be the first case. Please help.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Regarding your first question, there is no documented case of rabies caused by a rat or mice. So, I will not suggest you take shots and moreover, you are not sure whether you are bitten or not. Regarding your second question the rabies vaccine will be effective even after six days. That is post-exposure prophylaxis. Rabies vaccine IM - intramuscular administered in the deltoid muscle on days 0, 3, 7 and 14. Rabies immunoglobulin should also be administered. Also, I will advise you to take tetanus shots.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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