Rabies is a viral infection, which spreads to human if an infected animal like a dog bites you. When the virus enters our body, it reaches the brain through the peripheral nervous system, where it causes inflammation of the brain. This inflammation can result in coma and death.
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Kindly address my concerns related to rabies anxiety.
Query: Hello doctor,I came here for a second opinion and to get answers to some questions. I spoke to a doctor of general medicine today for my rabies anxiety. The incidents were as follows. Four years ago, a German shepherd of my friend scratched my hand. The dog died one and a half years after he bit me.... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Here are your answers: 1. Even if there is no history in your locality, any dog can get infected with rabies. You need to follow the dog who had bitten you for ten days. If it is alive after ten days, then he was not rabid. If you cannot identify that dog or cannot ... Read Full »
Can I have rabies even after getting vaccinated after dog bite?
Query: Hi doctor, I was bitten by a dog last year. The gate of the dog was wide open and when I passed near it, the dog bit me. It bit me on my right leg. After that, I rushed to the hospital for vaccination. The nurse injected something on the wound every time when I went to the hospital. They also injec... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. You do not need to worry because you are safe and you do not have rabies. So please leave your fear. Usually, when the dog dies within two weeks we suspect that the dog can have rabies. But in your case, it has been nine months, and you got va... Read Full »
When I visited my friend, a dog sniffed and licked my feet. Am I at rabies risk?
Query: Hello doctor,I visited my friend's house, and while I was talking to him, his dog came and sniffed my leg and touched my feet with his mouth. Should I take a vaccine for anti-rabies? Though the dog did not bite me, I am anxious about getting rabies or infection. Kindly suggest if I am at risk. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Rabies is caused by bites and scratches, and there are recommendations for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) rabies vaccine. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies exposure categories are: Category I: Touching or feedi... Read Full »
Do I need a rabies vaccine after a superficial dog bite?
Query: Hello doctor, I was bitten by a stray dog, and I am uncertain whether the dog was rabid. The bite was superficial, caused by only one of the dog's teeth or possibly a sharp surface on my bike. There was minimal bleeding, and I got first aid, including a tetanus shot on the same day. Should I also re... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. Regarding your symptoms of mild bleeding following a presumed dog scratch or bite, it is important to address the possibility of rabies. To ensure your well-being, I suggest you follow the recommended course of action: Commence with... Read Full »
What happens if my child gets rabies?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a mother of a 10-year-old boy. I want to know if rabies is a serious disease. So what are the symptoms we should be watchful for and how to prevent them?Please help. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query. 1. Rabies is a life-threatening disease. Yes, it can usually end up in loss of life if appropriate measures are not taken post-bite. 2. Common symptoms of rabies are fear of water (hydrophobia) and obtundation (severe lethargy). However, ... Read Full »
I got scratched by a dog. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, I got vaccinated against rabies three years back, and after one year, I got scratched by a dog. When I went to have my booster, the doctor wanted to repeat my vaccination because I lost my vaccine card against rabies, so I repeated them all. Last year, I got scratched by a stray cat, s... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. Regarding your experience with cat and dog scratches following intake of vaccine, yes, you need to be careful because of an overzealous anaphylactic reaction. Yes, you need a booster to strengthen the vaccine potency. If your symptoms p... Read Full »
My son's hand was scratched by a dog's nail. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, My neighbor's dog's nail scratched my son's hand. Will that cause rabies? Should I get him vaccinated? It was four days ago, and there was no blood. I did not wash that area either with soap or water. Is that very serious? Kindly suggest Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. If the dog is already vaccinated, there is nothing to worry about. As it is a pet dog, it must be vaccinated. If the dog is doing well and there is no blood on the scratch, there is nothing to worry about. Just get the v... Read Full »
Can rabies be transmitted sexually?
Query: Hello doctor,Since last year, I am having a lot of health problems such as back pain, finger joint dull pain, chest inflammation, irritation at the penile area, inflammation inside the penile hole, body irritation, body weakness, and fever. I often do sense inside my head, i.e., pricking with pins a... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Rabies can spread sexually but your symptoms do not classically point towards rabies infection. Neurological symptoms like confusion, nausea, excess salivation, etc., are missing. So the chance of rabies is less in my opinion. However, for rabies, testing multiple sa... Read Full »
A dog's teeth touched my finger. Should I get a vaccine?
Query: Hi doctor, I used to put biscuits for a stray dog in my office. Today, when I saw it, it came to me and started playing with me. Accidentally, one of the teeth touched my finger, but there was no injury or bleeding. Kindly advice if I should take a vaccine. Also, two months before I had Rabipur inje... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. If you have already taken the full course of the vaccine, then no need to take a dose now. Since there is no injury or blood, thorough cleaning might be enough. Thank you and take care. Regards. Read Full »
I fear contracting rabies from rat bites. Please help.
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 vacci... Read Full »
Answer: 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 aft... Read Full »
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