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Should I Go To An ER To Be Vaccinated For Rabies?

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Posted on Sat, 24 Oct 2020
Twitter Sat, 24 Oct 2020 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 23 May 2025 Last reviewed on
Question : raccoon was on my back porch yesterday. He was touching and putting a lighter into his mouth that my husband and I have been using all day. I am sure that we have touched our eyes, nose etc after touching this lighter. Should I go to an ER to be vaccinated for rabies?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I think no need of vaccination. Please see detailed answer below...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have gone through your query and here is my advice.

Raccoon may carry rabies infection.

Usually rabies infection may transmit through animal bite or scratch.

It may also transmit through saliva, if gets direct contact with eyes, mouth, nose or wound, still it's very rare.

Rabies virus is short-lived when exposed to open air. It can only survive in saliva and dies when the animal's saliva dries up.

As per your history, there is no any direct contact with saliva. So I think there is no need of vaccination.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Should I Go To An ER To Be Vaccinated For Rabies?

Brief Answer: I think no need of vaccination. Please see detailed answer below... Detailed Answer: Hello, I have gone through your query and here is my advice. Raccoon may carry rabies infection. Usually rabies infection may transmit through animal bite or scratch. It may also transmit through saliva, if gets direct contact with eyes, mouth, nose or wound, still it's very rare. Rabies virus is short-lived when exposed to open air. It can only survive in saliva and dies when the animal's saliva dries up. As per your history, there is no any direct contact with saliva. So I think there is no need of vaccination. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.