HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Is Rabies Vaccination Required After Being Exposed To An Uninfected Animal?

Posted on Thu, 7 Jul 2016

Question: Hi!! On April 11th, a dog walked over my foot ie it touched my foot. On examining I din't see any scratch mark or bleeding. Don't know if there wer any minor abrasions or scratch as I din't see. So I din't take PEP. Also I thought I will observe d dog for 10 days. During dat period d dog was totally normal. But from 3rd to 4th may he started showing symptoms of rabies n died on may 9th. I am scared now. Am I at any risk? I started PEP from 10th may. Please help.

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No, you are not at risk

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
Relax, I don't think you have anything to fear.
Dogs die within 10 days of becoming infectious. So when the dog walked over your foot in April, it was not infectious.
Since you have started the PEP, complete the course as it will protect you against future exposure.
Do get back to me if you have further questions.

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

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (19 hours later)

Hi!! Thanks for answering. Is it possible for rabies virus to b present in the dogs saliva before the clinical symptoms of rabies? And is it possible to transmit rabies from superficial scratch where only it appears white and no bleeding? N what Is the idea of giving rabies vaccine? I know its to be given as early as possible but i want to know is it To be given before the rabies virus enters the nerves or the brain?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Discussion follows

Detailed Answer:
There's is a healthy carrier state documented but is extremely rare. These dogs don't develop symptoms and die. The dog in your case developed symptoms and died, so it was not likely to have been a healthy carrier.
Any broken skin if contaminated by the virus can cause the disease.
PEP has to be started ASAP after the exposure. When the exposure is severe and the viral load is expected to be high, it is combined with anti rabies immunoglobulin for creating passive immunity.
In your situation, the use of vaccine is controversial, but since you have started it , you may take the doses as a pre exposure vaccine to protect you against future exposures if any.

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

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (27 hours later)

Hi!! I want to kno whether d risk of transmitting rabies is same via superficial scratch and bite? Or the risk involved in both the cases r different? Are der cases of rabies transmitting via superficial scratch? Yeah the dog looked healthy when the thing happened.And showed symptoms after around 20 days. But I am scared.

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Cases are reported but extremely rare

Detailed Answer:
There is a difference in the risk of rabies from a bite and non bite exposure. The risk from a non bite exposure is less but still present. So walking over the scratch by a rabid animal has some risk even though very minimal. But this dog was healthy and not rabid at that time . So the risk is almost non existent.
So relax and enjoy life rather than being scared .
Wish you good health and a great day.

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

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (10 days later)

Hi!! M writing to you again. Today I am experiencing some muscle twitches in my biceps,right side and also little bit on my back n calf muscles.. dont know if that's the term. I feel the pulsation n found my muscle moving continuously. (Small movements). Otherwise I am normal. No fever, headache,etc. Is it something related to rabies? Also I took the 5th dose of rabies today. I actually continued the full course.

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
These movements of muscles are called fasciculations.
Most of the time, these are harmless or benign.
They tend to occur more when one is tired following exertion or stressed or may occur without any obvious reason and are usually short lived.
If these persist for a long time or are increasing, it is better to consult a neurologist who might advise an EMG, if needed after the clinical examination.
Relax , it is unlikely to be due to rabies.
Take care.

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

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (11 hours later)

Hi!! Dis thing is bothering me again. I took my 5th dose yesterday. Suppose if d incubation priod is long in ones case and he takes pep after a month and completes the course before any symptoms den is dat going to help? I also took pep once in 2008 and 2010 (5 doses each) den will dat help? Suppose in ones case a dog had BITTEN Someone badly and he takes pep after 1 mnth n completes before any symptoms arises .also d dog was healthy in 10 days period but symptoms of rabies arises after 23 days, den in dat scenario will he be at any risk? Have you seen any case of rabies arising out of superficial scratch?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Relax

Detailed Answer:
I have not seen any case of rabies after a scratch though it is reported in medical literature. PEP gives protection upto 10 years. So you are protected from the past courses itself.
So please take the fear of rabies out of your mind and enjoy your life.
Have a great day and good health.

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

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (21 hours later)

So I should not worry as the dog was healthy at dat time n showed symptoms after 23days..? What if the dog had bitten me instead of d scratch then should I worry? While taking d 4th dose, the rabipur vaccine which I bought was not maintained it's temperature.. compared to d other dose, it was not cold.. but I took dat. So will it be effective as the temperature was not maintained? Will the antibody production be effective for future ? Doctors say if we hav taken vaccination previously 5 dose den next time only 2 doses required.so is there any time limit from the previous vaccination?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Discussion follows

Detailed Answer:
The rabid dog doesn't survive more than 10 days. So 23 days ago it was not rabid. Had it bitten you, you would have required anti tetanus prophylaxis in addition.
Normally antibodies are present upto 10 years after anti rabies vaccination and booster doses only are required in an exposure after 5 years. Improperly stored vaccines on the whole are not as effective as properly stored ones. 4 doses are more than sufficient for you.
Please get the rabid phobia out of your mind and enjoy life.

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

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (26 hours later)

Hi!! Actually I am having muscle twitches on my left arm with tingling sensation on ring and little finger of left side.today I also saw muscle twitches on my palm. Is it related to rabies?. Also I am having slight fever but not much and bit of sore throat. N i am going to gym these days . So will the antibody production be affected because of the exercises? Also I have one more doubt. While taking one injection for antirabies, d nurse while reconstituting , the needle touched her finger instead of the vial.. don't know if there was any prick. She gave me the injection with the same needle. Is dat going to transmit any blood borne infection?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
Your symptoms are not related to rabies.
Blood borne infections are transmitted by mixing of blood or body fluids and not by touch. You can not catch HIV by shaking hands.
Don't worry.
Relax, you are fine .

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

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