Is Rabies Vaccine Necessary After Accidental Consumption Of Food Licked By A Dog?

Posted on Sat, 25 Jun 2016

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

Sat, 25 Jun 2016 Answered on

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : do you need to get a rabies vaccine if you by mistake eat food licked by a street dog?

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome To HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I understand your concern.

Rabies spread through Blood contact of a human with saliva of a rabid dog.

So, in the scenario described by you there is no indication for rabies vaccination.

Moreover rabies virus doesn't survive outside the body of animal in food or any other article.

So don't worry , this exposure doesn't require any vaccination.

I hope it helps you.
If you have any further query, please ask me.

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

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (26 minutes later)

Thanks sir for the quick response. I have bleeding gum problem, I hope that won't be a concern here. Like I get bleeding gums while eating apples. Also even if I ate food as soon as the animal licked it, rabies vaccine is not required, right?

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
not required.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, This is why I mentioned that the virus doesn't survive outside the body of animal on any non living article.
Relax, there is no indication to take the vaccine.
Good luck.

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

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (29 minutes later)

Thank you sir for helping me getting rid of my anxiety. I wish to inform you that I had rabies vaccine full course (5 doses) around 3 months back. I want to know whether it provides any sort of immunisations in case of future bites for 1 year or so. My wife also ate the same food. She has not have rabies vaccine before. As per your advice, I don't have to worry about her as well. Also not sure whether it is required to tell or not, but I have mild heart leak, sinus, gerd and constipation. I am getting treatment for these. Anything I need to take care here as far as eating food licked by dog is concerned for both me and my wife.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes you are protected.

Detailed Answer:
Hi. Since you have been vaccinated previously then you are already immune to the rabies.
No your family also doesn't require any sort of vaccination for this exposure.
Also there are no special precautions for your pre existing diseases.
If you have any further query, please ask me.

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

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (1 hour later)

Thanks a lot sir for taking the time for answering my questions. Over the internet I read : "TheÂ rabiesÂ virus is present in the saliva of an infected animal and is usually transmitted by a bite.RabiesÂ may also be transmitted if infectious material (such as saliva) of the infected animal enters a wound or mucous membrane such as the eyes, nose or mouth." Here it says that it may also get transmitted by infectious material (such as saliva), enters wound, eyes, nose or mouth, that's why I am a bit worried here. Can you clarify this?

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Rare cases.

Detailed Answer:
Hi. All these are theoretical pictures and practically it's not possible to contract rabies via your exposure.
It's written right that rabies can spread through saliva of rabid dog coming in contact with mucous membranes.
If there is a direct exposure of saliva to the mucous membrane we do consider that as significant exposure but the exposure you had is insignificant.
Still if you wish you can request your doctor to vaccinate you and your family.
Stay Healthy.

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