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What Are The Chances Of Contracting Rabies Through Cat Bite?
Posted on
Mon, 18 Apr 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 18 Apr 2016
Answered on
Wed, 8 Jun 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I am based in the Middle East. There is a fully grown, healthy looking cat in our compound. The cat maybe neutered is because its left ear is tipped. It comes to the compound on and off, and seems very friendly and used to humans being around.
On 29th of March, I gave him some food, after eating, it was playing with me and its paw brushed my finger and I got a scratch. It was a very tiny (1/2 an inch in length scratch). There was no contact with its saliva. There was a little blood, I washed the finger immediately with soap, and Detol (anti-bacterial solution). The scratch has completely healed and not visible now. The cat was in my apartment for food again the next day, and I didn't notice anything different in its appearance or behaviour. I was worried because I don't usually see the cat everyday, so I took tetanus booster and 2 shots of ARV on 4th and 7th April (D0 and D3), because I had taken the full course of ARV (all 5 doses) in March 2014. This was under doctor's advice.
I still have not seen the cat although my landlord had seen it on the 4th and didn't notice anything abnormal.
Am I in danger of contracting the disease? I am too worried, because I haven't seen the animal and for the slightest headache or some random thing, I try to connect it with this incident. This morning while asleep, I felt like something was stuck in my throat and I felt like I was choking, I woke up to it and has been disturbed since.
On 29th of March, I gave him some food, after eating, it was playing with me and its paw brushed my finger and I got a scratch. It was a very tiny (1/2 an inch in length scratch). There was no contact with its saliva. There was a little blood, I washed the finger immediately with soap, and Detol (anti-bacterial solution). The scratch has completely healed and not visible now. The cat was in my apartment for food again the next day, and I didn't notice anything different in its appearance or behaviour. I was worried because I don't usually see the cat everyday, so I took tetanus booster and 2 shots of ARV on 4th and 7th April (D0 and D3), because I had taken the full course of ARV (all 5 doses) in March 2014. This was under doctor's advice.
I still have not seen the cat although my landlord had seen it on the 4th and didn't notice anything abnormal.
Am I in danger of contracting the disease? I am too worried, because I haven't seen the animal and for the slightest headache or some random thing, I try to connect it with this incident. This morning while asleep, I felt like something was stuck in my throat and I felt like I was choking, I woke up to it and has been disturbed since.
Brief Answer:
Risk of contracting rabies is almost null...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your post. And based on the described events, the chance of you contracting rabies is almost null. Besides you have already taken 2 doses of vaccinations which is sufficient to nullify any risks whatsoever.
The choking sensation in the throat is unrelated to the cat scratch exposure. Perhaps it is mostly due to GERD irritating throat mucosa. I will recommend you stay stress free and take a course of antacids for a week.
You can allay all fears of rabies and stay rest assured.
Hope this answered your question. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Risk of contracting rabies is almost null...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your post. And based on the described events, the chance of you contracting rabies is almost null. Besides you have already taken 2 doses of vaccinations which is sufficient to nullify any risks whatsoever.
The choking sensation in the throat is unrelated to the cat scratch exposure. Perhaps it is mostly due to GERD irritating throat mucosa. I will recommend you stay stress free and take a course of antacids for a week.
You can allay all fears of rabies and stay rest assured.
Hope this answered your question. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Doctor,
Thank you very much for your assuring question. Do you think I should see a psychiatrist? I think I am traumatized by this event big time.
I appreciate your response.
Thank you very much for your assuring question. Do you think I should see a psychiatrist? I think I am traumatized by this event big time.
I appreciate your response.
Brief Answer:
No harm visiting psychiatrist.
Detailed Answer:
If you feel you are affected by this anxiety, there is no harm visiting a psychiatrist. A few sessions of counselling and if needed a small course of antianxiety pill will help you ease anxiety.
That being said, you can stay rest assured that you won't be infected with rabies.
Hope this helped.
Regards
No harm visiting psychiatrist.
Detailed Answer:
If you feel you are affected by this anxiety, there is no harm visiting a psychiatrist. A few sessions of counselling and if needed a small course of antianxiety pill will help you ease anxiety.
That being said, you can stay rest assured that you won't be infected with rabies.
Hope this helped.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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