ADVERTISEMENT

Q. Is rabies a contagious disease?

Answered by
Dr. Sushil Kakkar
and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.
This is a premium question & answer published on Jan 07, 2018 and last reviewed on: Oct 09, 2018

Hello doctor,

I was bitten by a dog 13 days ago. I took anti-rabies vaccine after 25 hours of the bite. I have taken three vaccines until now. I had oral sex with my wife and by mistake, I bit her at neck two days ago. Should she also receive the anti-rabies vaccine? The dog is still alive.

ADVERTISEMENT
#

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Contact with someone who is receiving rabies vaccination does not constitute rabies exposure and does not require post-exposure prophylaxis.

For more information consult a dermatologist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/dermatologist

Thank you doctor,

Generally, can a person in incubation period transmit rabies to the other person through biting?

#

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Theoretically yes. However, in most humans, it has occurred with organ transplants.

For more information consult a dermatologist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/dermatologist

Thank you doctor,

If the virus has not reached the salivary gland of the person at the time of biting, can rabies be transmitted? And is it like with dog bite, the dog becomes dead after biting? Can human also die within 10 days of the bite?

#

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Rabies can happen only if the virus is present in saliva or salivary glands and not otherwise.

Usually, the salivary presence of virus and brain infection occur simultaneously.

So when an animal or human starts showing signs of brain infection, the virus is usually present in saliva and the animal or human dies soon within a week or 10 days

Please note that dog bites usually happen after brain infection in the animal when it becomes aggressive.

For more information consult a dermatologist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/dermatologist


Was this answer helpful?

 | 

Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!



Related Questions:
A pet dog bit me three years back. Can I take anti-rabies vaccine now?

It has been three years now, but I am worried as I heard that rabies appears after years ... If I take anti-rabies vaccine or boosters now, will it protect me ...   Read full

Will rabies virus survive outside host if exposed to sunlight?

Hello doctor, Can rabies virus survive outside host on grass or leaves if it is exposed to sunlight ...   Read full

Being vaccinated, is it fine to get 2 doses of rabies vaccine now for dog bite?

Hi doctor, I had 5 doses of rabies vaccine along with rabies immunoglobulin before two years ... A month later again, I was bitten by a dog and took three doses of ...   Read full

Also Read Answers From:

ideaComprehensive Medical Second Opinion.Submit your Case

Also Read


Missed Miscarriage - An Overview
Sometimes a miscarriage occurs without knowledge, as typical signs may be absent. This is called a missed miscarriage. L...  Read more»
H3N2v Influenza - Treatment and Prevention
Management and prevention of an Influenza A virus variant include various treatment options and measures. The below arti...  Read more»
Flu A - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
The flu, or influenza, is a contagious viral infection that attacks the respiratory system. Flu A and B viruses are resp...  Read more»

Ask your health query to a doctor online?

Ask a Dermatologist Now

* guaranteed answer within 4 hours.

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.