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Is Rabies Vaccination Required After Contact With Saliva Of Dog?
Question: sir,
accidentally, a stray dog just licked or may be touched its mouth to my left elbow , while i was sitting, It looked like it was smelling near me, it happened from by back, my elbow was bit wet (no bite/ no scrath )...... i was irritated by this and didn't found cloth , so i gently rubbed my arm on the surface (concret slab) I sat , very minor scratch happend, no blood came though rather it was reddish scratch. i Immediately washed my elbow in water at a hotel. after 1 hr when i came how, i washed 3 times with dettol and soap. do i need to take anti rabis vaccination ?
Please suggest.
accidentally, a stray dog just licked or may be touched its mouth to my left elbow , while i was sitting, It looked like it was smelling near me, it happened from by back, my elbow was bit wet (no bite/ no scrath )...... i was irritated by this and didn't found cloth , so i gently rubbed my arm on the surface (concret slab) I sat , very minor scratch happend, no blood came though rather it was reddish scratch. i Immediately washed my elbow in water at a hotel. after 1 hr when i came how, i washed 3 times with dettol and soap. do i need to take anti rabis vaccination ?
Please suggest.
Brief Answer:
Vaccination usually not required, only if dog was aggressive
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. The event described by you amounts to least risk when considering a dog bite exposure case.
2. Usually no anti rabies vaccination is required in such cases because there is only a doubtful lick over the skin. I understand the reddish scratch was due to rubbing on concrete.
3. Vaccination is suggested only if the dog was aggressive in nature.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if there is any doubt.
Regards,
Vaccination usually not required, only if dog was aggressive
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. The event described by you amounts to least risk when considering a dog bite exposure case.
2. Usually no anti rabies vaccination is required in such cases because there is only a doubtful lick over the skin. I understand the reddish scratch was due to rubbing on concrete.
3. Vaccination is suggested only if the dog was aggressive in nature.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if there is any doubt.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sir, thanks. Just few clarification on your point 2) dog definitely licked my elbow joint area. It was sudden feel of wetness . After some time I observed the same dog roaming around the same place just behind People sitting on concrete slab who were watching match. It looks like it was in search of food.
yes reddish scratch was due to rubbing on concrete slab.... My only concern was since saliva was on my elbow skin and I rubbed the elbow resulted in reddish scratch, whether virus entry may happened this way?? Attached attached elbow picture of scratch
3) dog looked sober, and was very mild. No aggression at all. It looked hungry for food. It was roaming near ppl in search of food and was found sleeping.
So my only worry was, sudden wet on elbow and my action of rubbing to concert slab resulted in scratch.
Whether this way rabid virus may entered body...
Attached phot of my reddish scratch...
Please clarify my worry
yes reddish scratch was due to rubbing on concrete slab.... My only concern was since saliva was on my elbow skin and I rubbed the elbow resulted in reddish scratch, whether virus entry may happened this way?? Attached attached elbow picture of scratch
3) dog looked sober, and was very mild. No aggression at all. It looked hungry for food. It was roaming near ppl in search of food and was found sleeping.
So my only worry was, sudden wet on elbow and my action of rubbing to concert slab resulted in scratch.
Whether this way rabid virus may entered body...
Attached phot of my reddish scratch...
Please clarify my worry
Brief Answer:
It is recommended that you take 5 dose anti rabies vaccination please
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
I have read through your statement carefully.
1. In my opinion, the dog is surely not having rabies at the moment. However, because it is a stray dog therefore we are not clear if it has got vaccinated for rabies.
2. You did a mistake by rubbing elbow on concrete and allowing scratch to happen in the elbow. There is doubt if the saliva was still wet on your elbow when you rubbed it on concrete and this can cause saliva to enter through skin surface.
3. In the above circumstances, it is better to take anti rabies vaccination five injections (Day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28). This will not cause any side effect and will protect you.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if there is any doubt.
Regards,
It is recommended that you take 5 dose anti rabies vaccination please
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
I have read through your statement carefully.
1. In my opinion, the dog is surely not having rabies at the moment. However, because it is a stray dog therefore we are not clear if it has got vaccinated for rabies.
2. You did a mistake by rubbing elbow on concrete and allowing scratch to happen in the elbow. There is doubt if the saliva was still wet on your elbow when you rubbed it on concrete and this can cause saliva to enter through skin surface.
3. In the above circumstances, it is better to take anti rabies vaccination five injections (Day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28). This will not cause any side effect and will protect you.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if there is any doubt.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok thanks you... It happened 2 days back... So do I consider course from today???
Brief Answer:
Yes you can start vaccination course from today
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Yes the course can be started counting today as day zero. These are safe vaccines and will give you complete protection.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if there is any doubt.
Regards,
Yes you can start vaccination course from today
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Yes the course can be started counting today as day zero. These are safe vaccines and will give you complete protection.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if there is any doubt.
Regards,
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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