Is rabies a contagious disease?

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: Jul 14, 2023

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.

#

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.

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.

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 a dog bite, the dog becomes dead after biting? Can humans 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 the 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 a brain infection in the animal when it becomes aggressive.


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


PCOS and Liver Problems
The hormonal imbalances in polycystic ovary syndrome could cause liver diseases. Read the article to know the relationship between these medical conditions.  Read more»
Inferior Alveolar Nerve Lateralization Technique
The inferior alveolar nerve lateralization technique is a surgical lateralization technique to reposition the nerve. Read the article to know more about this.  Read more»
COVID-19 and Ebola: Similarities and Differences
This article gives a comparison and broader overview of the outbreak of the two deadliest diseases that showed a greater incidence over the last two decades.  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.