
What Are The Chances Of Rabies Through Contact Of Garbage Messed By Raccoons?

Question: Had a cut on my hand and handled garbage that had been messed up by raccoons. Do I need to get rabies shots. Scared?
Brief Answer:
Yes, you need to take anti rabies vaccine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM,
Raccoons are the known reservoir of rabies virus. If the raccoons saliva had come in contact of garbage you could be at risk of contracting the rabies virus through your cut wound on the hands while handling the garbage.
Once again it all depends upon the time interval between saliva of the raccoons coming in contact of garbage and you handling it.
As you are scared about getting rabies, there is no harm in taking anti rabies vaccine on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28.The vaccine is going to help you by inducing protective antibody titre against rabies.
Thank you.
Yes, you need to take anti rabies vaccine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM,
Raccoons are the known reservoir of rabies virus. If the raccoons saliva had come in contact of garbage you could be at risk of contracting the rabies virus through your cut wound on the hands while handling the garbage.
Once again it all depends upon the time interval between saliva of the raccoons coming in contact of garbage and you handling it.
As you are scared about getting rabies, there is no harm in taking anti rabies vaccine on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28.The vaccine is going to help you by inducing protective antibody titre against rabies.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj


This was about 12 weeks ago and am just scared. Would the vaccine still be effective ?
Brief Answer:
Vaccine is effective
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is my pleasure to answer your query
The incubation period(time interval between entry of virus and development of disease) of rabies virus is very very variable ranging from few days to years.
The vaccine definitely helps in providing a protection against rabies. The vaccination against rabies will protect you in future also if you are at risk of exposure to rabies virus.
Thank you.
Vaccine is effective
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is my pleasure to answer your query
The incubation period(time interval between entry of virus and development of disease) of rabies virus is very very variable ranging from few days to years.
The vaccine definitely helps in providing a protection against rabies. The vaccination against rabies will protect you in future also if you are at risk of exposure to rabies virus.
Thank you.
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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