Have A Cut On Hand. Will I Get Rabies If I Touch A Garbage Bag An Animal Got Into?

Posted on Wed, 6 Nov 2013

Question: I was not bite by any animal but had a cut on my hand I touched a garbage bag that the animal got into I went to the ER and my doctors they said I'm fine and if saliva got into it the cut would have been infected should I believe them or the internet? The internet has scared me and I think months from now it's gonna hit me

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your doctor is right and you are safe.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to XXXXXXX

You should believe your doctor.
Most probably you are scared from rabies.
By this method you cant get infection like rabies.
As you have cut on your hand,you may get infected by other microbes.
So,you need tetanus toxoid injection and can take antibiotics prophylactically.
You can take antibiotics like capsule amoxycillin 500 mg thrice daily for five days.
You can also take some probiotics along with it.
You also need proper dressing of your wound.
Don’t be so worried,you are safe.

Get well soon.
Hope i have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (6 minutes later)

Do you think my cut would be infected if saliva got in there? And why can't I get it that way and my doctor or the ER wouldn't lie to me would they?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Virus can't survive in garbage

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query

Virus can't survive without host cell. It will die in external environment.
Rabies are mostly transmitted through bite of rabid animal and rarely by mucosal contact with their saliva.
Also virus can't survive in garbage without host.So,even if it is saliva, there is no chance of infection at all.
Your doctor will not misguide you. You should believe them.
Don't worry at all.

Hope i have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (2 hours later)

I'm neverous that I have to wait months now to a year to see if I have it or not I hate this feeling .I just saw my doctor again and she said no one will do the shots because she knows I don't have rabies and she said I would have been sick by now if I did it's been 12 days

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are 100% safe .Don't worry at all.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query
Sorry for replying late

Your doctor has rightly said. No one will prescribe you antirabies injection. It is unnecessary.
Dear it is your state of mind that you are thinking so much about this.
You should try to come out of the situation.
Keep busy yourself in your job.
Don't think too much about the incident.
You are 100 percent safe.

Hope i have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (3 hours later)

Plus my doctor told me I would be really sick by now. Are they both right about that?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your doctor is right.You may develop obsession.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query

Yes,you may develop obsession about the condition.
You shouldn't allow obsession to develop in yourself.
If you are not able to come out of repeated unnecessary thinking inspite of your best efforts then you may consult psychiatrist.You may need further counselling.
Get well soon.

Hope i have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (20 minutes later)

She said how I would be sick by now it's day 13 and I do see someone my theropist. Believe her or not

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Some people may have flu like syndrome.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query

It is not right that you will have side effects due to lapse of 13 days.
There is side effects associated with injection and it is applied to all people.
Some people develop flu like syndrome and it includes headache ,dizziness,malaise etc.These symptoms can be manged conservatively.
Rarely,some develop anaphylactic reactions.
Dear you don't need injections really.
Get well soon.

Hope i have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar