Is Rabies Vaccination Advisable After Being Scratched By A Monkey?

Posted on Thu, 13 Apr 2017

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

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 Answered on

Fri, 5 May 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have simple nail scratch from monkey today? there is no break up of skin but faint marks of two nails on my hand? should i take tetanus injection only and whether i will further go for rabies treatment?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please take post exposure rabies vaccination schedule and tetanus injection

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

Since you were scratched by a monkey, it is better to take a full course of anti rabies vaccine schedule and tetanus injection.

The reason is monkeys are animals which are not domesticated and vaccinated so there is a risk of rabies.

It is better to take precautions and go for rabies vaccination post exposure full course.

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

Regards,

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