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Is There A Way To Diagnose Me For The Possibility Of Getting Rabies From A Dog Bite Years Ago?
Question: A dog had bitten me little bit in 2001-2002 but at that time i have not taken rabies vaccine. I have read that as rabies has a long incubation period so we can be safe if we take vaccine before the development of symptoms. What should I do?.
Brief Answer:
Were you able to observe the dog for 10 days
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Rabies does not happen from a normal dog who was healthy and disease free at the time of bite. If you were able to observe the dog for at least 10 days after the bite and he stayed healthy for those 10 days then there is no need for any vaccine. If the dog is vaccinated then also no need of vaccine. If you didnt bleed then also no need of vaccine.
Anyways, after 10 days, there is almost negligible chance of rabies, so negligible advantage of rabies vaccine.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more doubts.
Regards,
Dr. Vaishalee
Were you able to observe the dog for 10 days
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Rabies does not happen from a normal dog who was healthy and disease free at the time of bite. If you were able to observe the dog for at least 10 days after the bite and he stayed healthy for those 10 days then there is no need for any vaccine. If the dog is vaccinated then also no need of vaccine. If you didnt bleed then also no need of vaccine.
Anyways, after 10 days, there is almost negligible chance of rabies, so negligible advantage of rabies vaccine.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more doubts.
Regards,
Dr. Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Thank You Ma'am for your Reply
Today, I have read in newspaper that symptoms of Rabies may appear even after 20 years. What is your opinion. Is any process of diagnose.
Thanks
Today, I have read in newspaper that symptoms of Rabies may appear even after 20 years. What is your opinion. Is any process of diagnose.
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Less than 1% chance
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Most cases of rabies happen within 1 year of dog bite. Less than 1% cases happen after 1 year.
Only a few cases has been recorded in which exposure was more than 5 years. In such cases, doctors still suspect that some exposure must have happened after the first exposure to bite.
You can test for rabies exposure by going for Rabies antibody test. If its negative then no need to worry.
Even if you don't test yourself, I don't feel the need to vaccination. Personally speaking I myself love dogs and i keep getting bitten by them with bleeds. That is how dogs play. Usually nothing happens. Rabies is a rare infection, though other infections can happen from germs from dog's saliva.
Regards,
Dr. Vaishalee
Less than 1% chance
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Most cases of rabies happen within 1 year of dog bite. Less than 1% cases happen after 1 year.
Only a few cases has been recorded in which exposure was more than 5 years. In such cases, doctors still suspect that some exposure must have happened after the first exposure to bite.
You can test for rabies exposure by going for Rabies antibody test. If its negative then no need to worry.
Even if you don't test yourself, I don't feel the need to vaccination. Personally speaking I myself love dogs and i keep getting bitten by them with bleeds. That is how dogs play. Usually nothing happens. Rabies is a rare infection, though other infections can happen from germs from dog's saliva.
Regards,
Dr. Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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