Hi, My Name Is Amit. Yesterday, A Stray Dog Licked

Posted on Wed, 22 May 2019

Question: Hi, My name is Amit. Yesterday, a stray dog licked my hand on the street but didn't bite me. When I came back home, I washed my 1 years old daughter's face with water without washing my own hands. It slipped from my mind. Now, I am afraid that she would get rabies. Is it possible for someone to get infected with rabies? Please suggest if she needs anti-rabies vaccination? I am scared.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Parth Goswami (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The chance of acquiring rabies infection to her is almost nil.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to the 'Ask A Doctor service'.
I have reviewed your query and below is my advise.

Rabies virus can live in environment only for 12-15 minute. Moreover rabies virus cannot spread through intact skin.

So chance of acquiring rabies infection to her is almost nil. She will not develop rabies and no need for any vaccination due to that event.

Hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Parth Goswami (57 minutes later)

Thank you for your answer. I have one more query. I washed the eyes and mouth of my daughter under a tap without cleaning my hands. So, my question is this: Can my daughter get rabies through the saliva that is on my hand?

I haven't heard about this kind of transmission before but I want to be sure. I understand that the question might sound silly but I am very scared.

Please suggest.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Parth Goswami (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up question.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back to the 'Ask A Doctor service'.

Considered the whole history provided, the chance of rabies spread is almost nil.
So as per my opinion you need not to worry regarding acquiring infection to her.

Hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Best regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D