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Suggest Treatment For Contact Of Contaminated Blood Or Saliva With Open Wound
Question: My dogs knocked me down on the pavement chasing a skunk. One of my dogs killed the skunk. The dog did not get bit, but, because he shook and killed it, I was concerned about saliva and possibly blood from the skunk contaminating him. He is current on rabies vaccine. However, after he dropped the skunk at my feet, he shook his head and rubbed his head on me. My hand was skinned and bleeding from the fall. I did not touch the skunk,but, am worried because of possible saliva or the skunks'spray entering the wound on my hand. When i got him home, I bathed him 4 times and cleaned my wound. I am concerned that I could have been exposed to the virus through my hand. Should I be?
Brief Answer:
Post exposure prophylaxis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Unless and until you subject the skunk's brain to biopsy and virological study ,you are never sure whether you have been contaminated by its blood or saliva which may contain the rabies virus.
If you are already vaccinated against rabies ,I would advise you to take two booster doses of vaccine on days 0 and 3.
If you are previously unvaccinated ,you need to take four 1-mL doses of rabies vaccine IM in the deltoid area on days 0 and 3, 7 & 14. At the same time ,you will have Preexposure rabies prophylaxis ,as you seem to keep many dogs.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Post exposure prophylaxis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Unless and until you subject the skunk's brain to biopsy and virological study ,you are never sure whether you have been contaminated by its blood or saliva which may contain the rabies virus.
If you are already vaccinated against rabies ,I would advise you to take two booster doses of vaccine on days 0 and 3.
If you are previously unvaccinated ,you need to take four 1-mL doses of rabies vaccine IM in the deltoid area on days 0 and 3, 7 & 14. At the same time ,you will have Preexposure rabies prophylaxis ,as you seem to keep many dogs.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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