Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is Touching An Area Contaminated By Cat Saliva A Serious Cause For Concern?
Question: Dear Doctor,
A couple of weeks ago I played with a cat in Southeastern Asia. I stroked it en fed it. Afterwards I realized I had a tiny splinter in one of my fingers, so my skin wasn't totally intact. The cat didn't lick or bite me. What is the change of getting infected by tiny bits of saliva in its fur or on the pieces of food?
It may sound a bit hypochondric, but I thought about it a lot last couple of days.
Best Regards,
XXXXXXX
A couple of weeks ago I played with a cat in Southeastern Asia. I stroked it en fed it. Afterwards I realized I had a tiny splinter in one of my fingers, so my skin wasn't totally intact. The cat didn't lick or bite me. What is the change of getting infected by tiny bits of saliva in its fur or on the pieces of food?
It may sound a bit hypochondric, but I thought about it a lot last couple of days.
Best Regards,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Very unlikely to be infected.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Welcome and thanks for the query.
I understand your concern and worry about you getting cat scratch disease.
In my opinion you have next to nothing chance of getting CSD. CSD is caused by a bacterium, either Bartonella henselae or Bartonella quintana.Touching an area contaminated by cat saliva does not cause the infection even if you have a broken skin. The bacteria are present mainly in the feces of the cat flea which may contaminate a scratch wound or it may be present in the infected cat's saliva. You require a significant dose of the bacterium to be infected as in high quantity of saliva as in a bite, but not by a dubious scant amount rubbed off the licked fur.
Even in the even of an unlikely event of infection, the symptoms should have appeared in two weeks. As you have no symptoms yet, relax . You have not got CSD.
Wish you a good day and good health
Very unlikely to be infected.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Welcome and thanks for the query.
I understand your concern and worry about you getting cat scratch disease.
In my opinion you have next to nothing chance of getting CSD. CSD is caused by a bacterium, either Bartonella henselae or Bartonella quintana.Touching an area contaminated by cat saliva does not cause the infection even if you have a broken skin. The bacteria are present mainly in the feces of the cat flea which may contaminate a scratch wound or it may be present in the infected cat's saliva. You require a significant dose of the bacterium to be infected as in high quantity of saliva as in a bite, but not by a dubious scant amount rubbed off the licked fur.
Even in the even of an unlikely event of infection, the symptoms should have appeared in two weeks. As you have no symptoms yet, relax . You have not got CSD.
Wish you a good day and good health
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Doctor,
Thank you for your information. I was actually more woried about rabies. I see now that I didn't mention it in my question. My apologies. What are the chances getting rabies?
Kind regards,
XXXXXXX
Thank you for your information. I was actually more woried about rabies. I see now that I didn't mention it in my question. My apologies. What are the chances getting rabies?
Kind regards,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
If it is a friend's cat, nothing more to do if it is alive.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX,
A domestic cat is not an asymptomatic carrier of Rabies like a bat, fox and other wild animals. If it is infected it will be symptomatic like irritable, furious or develop paralysis. If will not survive for more than 2 weeks after onset of symptoms. So if it is a cat at a friend's place just call up the friend and check whether the cat is alive. If alive forget the whole episode.
If the cat is dead and you feel that you could be infected by the saliva, though it is unlikely, you may take a post exposure prophylaxis.
Regards,
If it is a friend's cat, nothing more to do if it is alive.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX,
A domestic cat is not an asymptomatic carrier of Rabies like a bat, fox and other wild animals. If it is infected it will be symptomatic like irritable, furious or develop paralysis. If will not survive for more than 2 weeks after onset of symptoms. So if it is a cat at a friend's place just call up the friend and check whether the cat is alive. If alive forget the whole episode.
If the cat is dead and you feel that you could be infected by the saliva, though it is unlikely, you may take a post exposure prophylaxis.
Regards,
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
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
