What Should Be Done After Exposure To Garbage?

Posted on Tue, 13 Jan 2015

Question: I know this is going to sound paranoid but I have to ask for peace of mind. This morning I got sidetracked and left my trash by the dumpster. I came back from work and raccoons had torn it to pieces. Its rainy and some of the trash was under a car port. Its about 60 degrees. So the trash wasn't completely rinsed nor was it dry which dessicated rabies. I have cuts on my hands and I just started picking up garbage to throw it out. I had the rabies vaccines when I was young. What's my risk?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Vaccinations only if deep cuts on hands are directly exposed to garbage

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Your query is an important one.

As per current healthcare guidelines,
"Scratches, abrasions, open wounds, or mucous membranes contaminated with saliva or other potentially infectious material (such as brain tissue) from a rabid animal constitute non-bite exposures. Occasionally reports of non-bite exposure are such that postexposure prophylaxis is given."

In your case further details of the cuts might be necessary and the possibility of a deep injury is to be excluded in order to recommend a course of anti rabies vaccines. The rabies virus has got an affinity for nerves and if there is the possibility of deposition of saliva from an infected animal and the saliva making its way in to the cuts then a prophylactic vaccination might be recommended.

The good news is that there have been no documented cases of rabies transmitted through raccoons in the US in recent years.

The course of 3 series anti rabies vaccination might provide little protection to you but since it has been 15 years, the anti rabies antibody levels in you might have come down.

In conclusion, should you have deep cuts on your hands with a possibility of direct contact of cut areas with contaminated garbage, then please have a consultation with your health care provider.

Wishing you the best of health.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (14 minutes later)

The cuts on my hands aren't very deep. I pick at my fingers and I have a burn on the back of my hand from last night's cooking fiasco. How long do I have before I need to seek treatment for it to still be effective?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please get in touch with your doctor right away or atleast within 24 hours

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.

As you have said that its not so deep cuts, it is least likely that you are under any imminent risk. However, for your peace of mind and as per treatment protocol, seeing the healthcare provider the same day or within 24 hours is recommended.

For the burns, you need to take complete treatment for wound healing.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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