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Raccoon Was On My Back Porch Yesterday. He Was Touching

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Posted on Fri, 20 Nov 2020
Question: raccoon was on my back porch yesterday. He was touching and putting a lighter into his mouth that my husband and I have been using all day. I am sure that we have touched our eyes, nose etc after touching this lighter. Should I go to an ER to be vaccinated for rabies?
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Answered by Dr. Shyam B. Kale (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I think no need of vaccination. Please see detailed answer below...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have gone through your query and here is my advice.

Raccoon may carry rabies infection.

Usually rabies infection may transmit through animal bite or scratch.

It may also transmit through saliva, if gets direct contact with eyes, mouth, nose or wound, still it's very rare.

Rabies virus is short-lived when exposed to open air. It can only survive in saliva and dies when the animal's saliva dries up.

As per your history, there is no any direct contact with saliva. So I think there is no need of vaccination.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Shyam B. Kale

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 3846 Questions

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Raccoon Was On My Back Porch Yesterday. He Was Touching

Brief Answer: I think no need of vaccination. Please see detailed answer below... Detailed Answer: Hello, I have gone through your query and here is my advice. Raccoon may carry rabies infection. Usually rabies infection may transmit through animal bite or scratch. It may also transmit through saliva, if gets direct contact with eyes, mouth, nose or wound, still it's very rare. Rabies virus is short-lived when exposed to open air. It can only survive in saliva and dies when the animal's saliva dries up. As per your history, there is no any direct contact with saliva. So I think there is no need of vaccination. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.