Had A Cut On Hand. Touched A Garbage Bag That A Wild Animal Broke Into. Will I Get Rabies?

Posted on Wed, 16 Oct 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 16 Oct 2013 Answered on

Thu, 7 Nov 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : i had a cut on my hand and touched a garbage bag that a wild animal broke into i went to the ER and my doctor the ER said I don't have rabies and don't have a exposure, also my doctor did blood test on me my cut though has healed I trust my doctor with all of my heart she can't lie to me right? I have high anxiety and OCD and now depression

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief answer...There is absolutely nothing to worry.
Detailed answer...
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
You should stop worrying as touching a garbage bin,which if licked by a rabid animal,can not cause rabies to you because rabies virus gets killed on exposure to air.So effectively there is no chance of any rabies in you.
I hope this helps you however you can revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

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

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (42 minutes later)

Thank you and also my doc and ER doc said I would be sick by now it's been 14 days and my cut has healed. Believe them?

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (3 hours later)

Hello,
passing of 14 days after the incident is in itself a proof that everything is all right and nothing is going to happen to you.
You are most welcome to ask any query any time.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj