
What Are Chances Of Rabies Inspite Of Having Contact With Saliva Of An Animal?

Question: Hello doctor Today morning a cow came near me I gave an banana to it and it ate it.Then it dropped some saliva on the ground and I was at temple and I worshipped at the place qhere it dropped saliva some seconds later and may be a little saliva might have touched my hand and I put that hand in my mouth and eye(not fully inserted in mouth and eye its like worshipping) Now I am fearing I may have got rabiesnsince I the saliva touched my lips and eyes.I have been previously vaccinated for rabies 5 doses 6 month back.Help me doctor should I go immediately and get an immunoglobulin and vaccine?
Brief Answer:
Prior vaccination will be protective
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
As you have mentioned that you have had rabies vaccine 6 months back, the vaccine will protect you against the viral infection in case you are exposed to it.
Further is there any evidence that the animal i.e. cow was suffering from rabies?
Symptoms of rabies are rabid behavior of the animal, tendency to bite or behave abnormal without being provoked.
If no then you need not worry. However, the body part which has come in contact with saliva should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Prior vaccination will be protective
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
As you have mentioned that you have had rabies vaccine 6 months back, the vaccine will protect you against the viral infection in case you are exposed to it.
Further is there any evidence that the animal i.e. cow was suffering from rabies?
Symptoms of rabies are rabid behavior of the animal, tendency to bite or behave abnormal without being provoked.
If no then you need not worry. However, the body part which has come in contact with saliva should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T


Thank you docfor for your answer.yes I had complete course of rabies injection 6 months back 5 doses(no immunoglobulin, since it was a lick).I consulted an doctor and she said no vaccine is required since the virus was not exposed you tou because The virus will die quickly if exposed to air in my case the saliva of cow was first droped in ground and wont it be ineffective or killed by then and Then my risk was I Touched the place where the cow saliva dropped so by the time I touched the place(some seconds later) The virus would have been ineefective or killed rite? And then I touched my eyes and mouth some seconds later (so by that time time the virus would have been killed rite?) So totally the saliva came in contact with me some seconds later.My doctor says this is unnecessary thinking, and the cow was behaving normal it ate an banana that I gave it, I washed my hands as and mouth when came home but not for a long time hust washed for a minute. your answers will be helpful.
Brief Answer:
Thanks and take care
Detailed Answer:
Thanks and take care.
Wish you good health.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Thanks and take care
Detailed Answer:
Thanks and take care.
Wish you good health.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D

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