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Can Rabies Infection Be Contracted Through Non-bite Exposures?
Question: sir/mam, i m little worried about an incident that occurred in the end of august 2015 that, i was feeding street dogs, i had put my hand in one dog's ear, i didn't realize that some amount of blood was coming out and the blood of the dog touched my thumb which, the previous night i had done nail cutting and there was a cut on my thumb corner also and very little blood came, in which the dog's blood touched my thumb the very next morning. unfortunately, the dog's blood touched my thumb finger only. after that i washed my thumb finger with dettol and water. almost 5 months had passed then also i m little tensed and anxious about that incident now. now also i feed that dog daily but not touch her. she had 3 babies this month. her behavior is also like loving dog. I had not visited any doctor as my parents always told me not to touch any stray dog. and here all knows me. i feared of my parents as they warned me n number of times to not touch any dog.
is there any possibility that i may be infected with rabies? please help me and guide to relieve my tension. thank you.
is there any possibility that i may be infected with rabies? please help me and guide to relieve my tension. thank you.
Brief Answer:
Transmission of Rabies virus
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Transmission of Rabies virus from non-bite exposures is relatively uncommon.
Rabies does not spread by contact with blood but by infected saliva which contains the virus. Rabies also can not get transmitted to humans by way of feeding the dog.
A rabid dog dies within 7 days once symptomatic.
Your fear about contacting rabies from the dog you came in contact is unfounded as you never came in contact with its saliva, as I understand and moreover the dog is also alive (beyond 10 days observation period).
PEP (Post-exposure Prophylaxis ) is not necessary if the animal remains healthy after 10 days.
The dog for all practical purpose is healthy and not rabid as it is still alive and has also given birth to puppies.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Transmission of Rabies virus
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Transmission of Rabies virus from non-bite exposures is relatively uncommon.
Rabies does not spread by contact with blood but by infected saliva which contains the virus. Rabies also can not get transmitted to humans by way of feeding the dog.
A rabid dog dies within 7 days once symptomatic.
Your fear about contacting rabies from the dog you came in contact is unfounded as you never came in contact with its saliva, as I understand and moreover the dog is also alive (beyond 10 days observation period).
PEP (Post-exposure Prophylaxis ) is not necessary if the animal remains healthy after 10 days.
The dog for all practical purpose is healthy and not rabid as it is still alive and has also given birth to puppies.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
thank you for the reply sir.
1. does it means i can be fully free from tension of getting infected and no need to take vaccination?
2. and what is the maximum incubation period of rabies and symptoms in humans?
1. does it means i can be fully free from tension of getting infected and no need to take vaccination?
2. and what is the maximum incubation period of rabies and symptoms in humans?
Brief Answer:
Post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies.
Detailed Answer:
You don't have to take any PEP (Post-exposure Prophylaxis ) against rabies.
However it seems you are very fond of stray dogs including fondling and feeding. Since the unvaccinated stray dogs are potential source of rabies virus,I would rather advise you to take pre-exposure prophylaxis as taken routinely by veterinary doctors,professional animal handlers etc .The primary schedule consists of three doses of rabies vaccine ( e.g Inj Rabipur each dose-1 ml. IM in deltoid area ) given on days 0, 7, and 21 or 28.
The incubation period of rabies (defined as the interval between exposure and the onset of clinical disease)in humans is usually 20–90 days but in rare cases is as short as a few days or >1 year.Rabies following bites in head,neck and upper limbs usually have shorter incubation period as being closer to brain.
Post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies.
Detailed Answer:
You don't have to take any PEP (Post-exposure Prophylaxis ) against rabies.
However it seems you are very fond of stray dogs including fondling and feeding. Since the unvaccinated stray dogs are potential source of rabies virus,I would rather advise you to take pre-exposure prophylaxis as taken routinely by veterinary doctors,professional animal handlers etc .The primary schedule consists of three doses of rabies vaccine ( e.g Inj Rabipur each dose-1 ml. IM in deltoid area ) given on days 0, 7, and 21 or 28.
The incubation period of rabies (defined as the interval between exposure and the onset of clinical disease)in humans is usually 20–90 days but in rare cases is as short as a few days or >1 year.Rabies following bites in head,neck and upper limbs usually have shorter incubation period as being closer to brain.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
sir, I have heard somewhere that, if the vaccine is taken after a long time it may be useless. as mine was almost 5 months ago.
If i take vaccination for my satisfaction, will it be completely effective without any tension if i assume that i have infection?
thank you.
If i take vaccination for my satisfaction, will it be completely effective without any tension if i assume that i have infection?
thank you.
Brief Answer:
Post-exposure prophylaxis
Detailed Answer:
Post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies.Ideally, the first dose (day 0) should be given as soon as possible after exposure(within a day or two); failing that, it should be given without further delay.
Delayed treatment (vaccination) however may still be of some value.
In no case it should be denied to exposed persons whatever time interval has elapsed,considering the wide range of incubation period of rabies( few days or >1 year).
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Post-exposure prophylaxis
Detailed Answer:
Post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies.Ideally, the first dose (day 0) should be given as soon as possible after exposure(within a day or two); failing that, it should be given without further delay.
Delayed treatment (vaccination) however may still be of some value.
In no case it should be denied to exposed persons whatever time interval has elapsed,considering the wide range of incubation period of rabies( few days or >1 year).
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
sir, please solve my following queries:-
Now only, i visited a general doctor near my college, he told me that virus can never be transmitted by blood to blood and i took a print out of this conversation and shown him, he told no vaccination is required and the dog is in good condition.
1. As i haven't came in contact with the dog's saliva ever. only 2-3 drops of her blood coming out from the dogs ear had touched my thumb 5 month back. my thumb is alright but sometimes i feel some nerves tingling sensation in that hand when i write so, i have to take any kind of vaccination or not by visiting another doctor! actually sir, i am confused and not getting satisfaction. being anxious.
2. is there any real case relating to like, blood to blood transmission.
Now only, i visited a general doctor near my college, he told me that virus can never be transmitted by blood to blood and i took a print out of this conversation and shown him, he told no vaccination is required and the dog is in good condition.
1. As i haven't came in contact with the dog's saliva ever. only 2-3 drops of her blood coming out from the dogs ear had touched my thumb 5 month back. my thumb is alright but sometimes i feel some nerves tingling sensation in that hand when i write so, i have to take any kind of vaccination or not by visiting another doctor! actually sir, i am confused and not getting satisfaction. being anxious.
2. is there any real case relating to like, blood to blood transmission.
Brief Answer:
Transmission of Rabies virus from non-bite exposures
Detailed Answer:
There is nothing like blood to blood transmission of rabies virus.
However transmission has resulted from corneal transplantation and also
from solid organ transplantation and a vascular conduit (for a liver
transplant) from undiagnosed donors with rabies in XXXXXXX Florida,
and Germany.
In your case you don't need any post-exposure prophylaxis.
Transmission of Rabies virus from non-bite exposures
Detailed Answer:
There is nothing like blood to blood transmission of rabies virus.
However transmission has resulted from corneal transplantation and also
from solid organ transplantation and a vascular conduit (for a liver
transplant) from undiagnosed donors with rabies in XXXXXXX Florida,
and Germany.
In your case you don't need any post-exposure prophylaxis.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
now i came to understand that i am safe.
sir last qsn, just for information sir- can a non-rabied dog, if bites any person, will virus be produced in humans?
sir last qsn, just for information sir- can a non-rabied dog, if bites any person, will virus be produced in humans?
Brief Answer:
Transmission of rabies virus from healthy dogs.
Detailed Answer:
There are rare reports, from XXXXXXX Ethiopia, and elsewhere, of chronic excretion of rabies virus in the saliva of apparently healthy dogs.
Transmission of rabies virus from healthy dogs.
Detailed Answer:
There are rare reports, from XXXXXXX Ethiopia, and elsewhere, of chronic excretion of rabies virus in the saliva of apparently healthy dogs.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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