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Is Rabies Vaccination Required After A Cat Bite?
Question: Hi myself XXXX i have completed full vaccination course for rabies before 1 year and 8 months ago but yesterday i got cat scratch. Cat is domestic but not vaccinated. Scratch is not deep and there was very minor oozing. Should i take full course of vaccine again?
Brief Answer:
Take booster dose of rabies vaccine on 0, 3 and 7 days
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to HCM.
This is Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta answering your query.
I have gone through your question and understand your concern.
If you had taken complete course of vaccines and immunoglobulin for rabies, you need not take full course again. This schedule is called post-exposure prophylaxis in previously vaccinated person. It comprises of intradermal or intramuscular vaccination on days 0(day of scratch), 3 and 7. However, WHO or world health organisation now omits the 7th day injection i.e. the new recommendation is only on days 0 and 3.
Also washing the wound area thoroughly and keeping it clean is essential.
Hope this was useful.
Regards.
Take booster dose of rabies vaccine on 0, 3 and 7 days
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to HCM.
This is Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta answering your query.
I have gone through your question and understand your concern.
If you had taken complete course of vaccines and immunoglobulin for rabies, you need not take full course again. This schedule is called post-exposure prophylaxis in previously vaccinated person. It comprises of intradermal or intramuscular vaccination on days 0(day of scratch), 3 and 7. However, WHO or world health organisation now omits the 7th day injection i.e. the new recommendation is only on days 0 and 3.
Also washing the wound area thoroughly and keeping it clean is essential.
Hope this was useful.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Scratch was due to it's nail..not due to its teeth then same protocol?
Brief Answer:
yes the protocol is same
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Scratch is basically meant as injury with nail or claw, whereas bite is done with teeth.
However, the protocol remains same as the rabies virus can be present both in nails as well as saliva.
The WHO protocol can be followed as i had mentioned provided you had taken the complete course on your previous exposure.
Hope this was helpful.
Wish you good health.
yes the protocol is same
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Scratch is basically meant as injury with nail or claw, whereas bite is done with teeth.
However, the protocol remains same as the rabies virus can be present both in nails as well as saliva.
The WHO protocol can be followed as i had mentioned provided you had taken the complete course on your previous exposure.
Hope this was helpful.
Wish you good health.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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