Hi, I Have A Minor Scratch When A Monkey Hold

Posted on Mon, 3 Sep 2018

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

Mon, 3 Sep 2018 Answered on

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I have a minor scratch when a monkey hold my hand for some food while on on a tour on 31-08-2018.at about. 5 pm I feel some etching sensation after some time when sweating due to riding on height. I can clean only after one hour with about little amount of available plain water. Then at home I clean it with ample amount of dettol for 10-!5 minutes at 7:30 pm and then only I saw tinnny cut / scratch on skin (no bleeding of course)

Then after so much confusion, I decided to have RABIPUR injection next day on 01-09-2018 at about around 7:45 pm .
That was start of day 0. The next 3.7.14,and 28 are to be followed..My question is "IS IT OK AND OR SAFE? WHAT NEXT STEPS TO BE TAKEN .PLEASE response at the earliest.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow the vaccination schedule

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for asking here

I can understand your concern. As bite or scratch by monkey can cause rabies, one must take full course of rabies vaccination.
First dose should be taken as early as possible,best within 24 hours.I don't think the sweating was related to the scratch. I would suggest you to follow the vaccination schedule.
In minor scratch oral antibiotic will not be needed and local application of antibiotic is sufficient to avoid any bacterial infections.
Don't get overly worried as you have taken the first dose on first day.

I hope this helps.
please feel free to ask if you have any more doubts.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (14 hours later)

Thaks sir,
I will certainly follow the schedule of vaccination
As you are telling, having vaccination within 24 hours of exposer is best but I remember I had vaccination about 26-27 hours after getting scratched (getting scratched at about 05:PM of 31-08-2018 and started vaccination at about 7:30 pm (or it may be 8:00 pm) on 01-09-2018).

Also, as there was no bleeding ,I simply wash it with normal water only. Then after about 3 hrs on reaching home ,I clean the scratch with ample amount of dettol for 10-15 minutes.
My question is sir two fold . First, whether it is too late for cleaning the scratch?
Secondly , Whether 27-28 hour delay vaccination after getting scratched is still effective.
Please, clear my doubt sir.
With Regards

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Don't worry,the vaccination is still effective

Detailed Answer:
Hi

I can understand your concern.Following exposure cleaning of the injured part under running water is recommended along with vaccination as early as possible.
It's not like that if you have taken the vaccine at 24-26 hours it will not be effective.
So I request you not to get overly worried and to just follow the vaccination schedule as this is the best you did.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (12 hours later)

Thanks sir, for your encouraging suggestion. I am following the PEP schedule and had the second dose on 04_09-2018. I will complete the rest doses , too on days 7,14 and 28.

One question is still in my mind to be answered .Please clear ....
Should I be Isolated from my family members during vaccination? As my wife and child lives together with me and glass/plates/cups used by them and me all are cleaned in same sink. Can it be risk-taking for my family to get infection in future. Please clarify .I am very concern of that. What should I do to get them secured.?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is not a contagious disease

Detailed Answer:
Hi

First of all I want to tell you that you need not to worry as you are not exposed to a known infected animal and have started the vaccination.So chances of getting infection are remote.
Rabies infection is not contagious and does not spread from one human to another.
Rarely it can be transmitted to another person by organ transplantation or bite by an known infected individual.
So don't get overly worried.Just follow your routine daily work.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D