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Is Rabies Possible By Accidental Touch Of Dog's Saliva?
Hello Doctor,
My daughter played with stray dogs opening their mouths before two days. I guess her fingers touched the dogs tongue. Later she unknowingly kept one of her fingers in her mouth. What is the chance of her getting infected with rabies. What should I do to overcome the doubt. Thank you
My daughter played with stray dogs opening their mouths before two days. I guess her fingers touched the dogs tongue. Later she unknowingly kept one of her fingers in her mouth. What is the chance of her getting infected with rabies. What should I do to overcome the doubt. Thank you
Tue, 19 Jan 2016
Hi & Welcome.
I can understand your concern for your beloved daughter.
Rabies is usually transmitted from saliva of the dog into blood stream of the victim through a brokien or by licking open wound.
However, droplets containing the virus can pass through mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, & mouth.
The suspected stray dog of having rabies should be monitored for at least 10-14 days for the signs and symptoms of rabies it may develop following the virus shedding through the saliva.
Besides, your daughter should receive 4 doses of anti rabies vaccine on day 0,3,7, & 14. If the dog is found to be healthy on day 10, the last dose (on day 14) may be stopped.
Hope this answers your query.
I can understand your concern for your beloved daughter.
Rabies is usually transmitted from saliva of the dog into blood stream of the victim through a brokien or by licking open wound.
However, droplets containing the virus can pass through mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, & mouth.
The suspected stray dog of having rabies should be monitored for at least 10-14 days for the signs and symptoms of rabies it may develop following the virus shedding through the saliva.
Besides, your daughter should receive 4 doses of anti rabies vaccine on day 0,3,7, & 14. If the dog is found to be healthy on day 10, the last dose (on day 14) may be stopped.
Hope this answers your query.
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