Is rabies a contagious disease?

Question

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.

Please help.

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

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

Thank you.

Answer 3

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.

Thank you.