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I Was In The Woods, On A Trail, The Trail

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Posted on Sat, 20 Jul 2019
Question: i was in the woods, on a trail, the trail was exposed to sunlight. about 20 yards ahead if me a racoon stood up and started barking, weird behavior and during the day.

later i got worried, what if it was rabid and it had walked were i did and drolled. getting its sslvia on the trail.

i had no contact with the animal

i walked around on pavement, for about 45 minutes

its 95f outside

could my boots have gotten salvia on them from the grass, and could the rabies virus live on my boots and could i have tracked it back into my car and my hotel room?

as thete any rabies risk?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
There is no chance you can get rabies from the environment

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,

I carefully read your query and here is my advice: rabies is transmitted only by direct contact with a rabid animal (infected saliva on a wound or bite). Saliva in the ambient is not a recognized risk factor or way of transmission.
I would say there is need to worry as there is no risk for you getting rabies even if your boots touched infected saliva.

I hope this answers your query and is helpful to you. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (3 hours later)
my concern is if thete were salivia on the ground i tracked it in in my boots in my car and later hotel room- i walked around 45 min before hetting in my car.

would it by infectous in my car out hotel room
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,

There is no record of patients being infected with rabies due to the saliva of a rabid animal laying in the environment. Even if the saliva of the animal directly touches the skin but the skin is not broken then it is still unlikely for the patient to get rabies.

So, even though the saliva may contain the infection (which in itself is a very small probability), it is not able to transmit the infection the way you explained: being taken from the grass by the boots to the room and then touching the skin. The virus does not survive long in the environment and it is impossible to cause the infection this way.

So I would say you need to be in peace and not worry about the chances of getting rabies as you are safe and not at risk of rabies.

I hope this answers your query and is helpful to you. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General and Family Physician
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4435 Questions

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I Was In The Woods, On A Trail, The Trail

Brief Answer: There is no chance you can get rabies from the environment Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service, I carefully read your query and here is my advice: rabies is transmitted only by direct contact with a rabid animal (infected saliva on a wound or bite). Saliva in the ambient is not a recognized risk factor or way of transmission. I would say there is need to worry as there is no risk for you getting rabies even if your boots touched infected saliva. I hope this answers your query and is helpful to you. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed. Regards, Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General and Family Physician