Download FREE Practo app
Get ₹200 HealthCash
Do I need anti Rabies vaccine?
Recently my mother touched rat cage and carrot which was little eaten by rat 30 seconds ago then she touched tap to wash her hand after 30 minutes I touched that tap and touched my trimmer blade from same hand and got cut from that blade in throat and little blood came. In our area some mongoose also roam so is it possible if that rat who eat carrot that rat maybe bitten by mongoose previously and because that rate saliva is on carrot that my mother touched and then tap so from carrot saliva transfer to my mother hand then on tap then I touched same tap and my trimmer blade and got cut blood so from tap saliva came on my hand then on blade of trimmer then entered in my body through cut so do I need anti Rabies vaccine ?
Note I already had tetanus 2.5 months ago but no anti Rabies.
Answers (28)
Get your queries answered instantly with Care AI FREE
20000+ health queries resolved in last month
If you want to discuss your problem in more detail, feel free to message me on WhatsApp at nine one one nine two five five six nine nine for a detailed free discussion
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Didn't find the answer you are looking for?
Talk to experienced doctor online and get your health questions answered in just 5 minutes.
+179
Rabies transmission requires a direct bite / scratch from a rabid mammal with fresh saliva entering the wound.
Also, rats and mongoose are not considered rabies reservoirs in routine clinical practice in India.
Next Steps
So, no anti-rabies vaccine and no RIG are indicated in this situation.
Your tetanus shot 2.5 months ago is adequate.
Health Tips
Please don’t worry, this is not a rabies exposure. You are safe and no vaccination is needed for this incident.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
No — this is NOT a rabies risk. Rabies spreads only by direct bite/scratch from a rabid animal with fresh saliva entering the wound.
What you described (rat touching food → tap → blade → cut) is an indirect contact and does not transmit rabies. Also, rats/mongoose are extremely rare carriers.
Your tetanus shot is already taken, so that part is covered.
Next Steps
1. Wash the cut well with soap and running water.
2. Apply antiseptic locally.
3. No anti-rabies vaccine needed for this exposure.
4. If anxiety persists, a short consult can give proper reassurance.
Health Tips
Avoid overthinking chain contacts — rabies doesn’t spread this way. If wound shows redness, swelling or discharge, get it checked. For peace of mind, you can book a quick consult and close this properly.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
No need of rabies vaccine
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Not Needed.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Kindly consult nearby hospital for treatment purpose
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Rodents like rats are not considered as rabies transmitter and second thing you haven't directly exposed to the saliva ...
Their is no need for anything what is needed in this case Inj TT which you have already taken
No need for ARV
Next Steps
wash your wound from running water
take ointment povidine iodine
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Thorough evaluation needed.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Rabies is transmitted through direct bite or scratch from a rabid animal with fresh saliva entering an open wound or mucosa.
Transmission through a rat → carrot → hand → tap → trimmer blade → cut is not a recognized mode of rabies transmission.
Also, rats and rodents are not known to transmit rabies to humans. Hence, anti-rabies vaccine is NOT required in this situation.
Next Steps
Wash the cut thoroughly with soap and running water
• Apply a local antiseptic
• Observe the wound for signs of infection
• No need for anti-rabies vaccination based on current history
• Tetanus vaccination already taken is adequate
Health Tips
Rabies does not spread via surfaces, objects, or indirect contact
• Avoid unnecessary anxiety regarding such indirect exposures
• Seek medical advice only if there is a direct animal bite/scratch or high-risk exposure in future
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
This incident does NOT qualify as rabies exposure. Rabies cannot be transmitted through indirect contact, surfaces (tap, blade), vegetables, or through multiple hand-to-object transfers. Rats are not rabies carriers, and the rabies virus does not survive long outside the body. Even with a small cut, this chain of events cannot transmit rabies. Your symptoms and concern are driven by anxiety, not infection.
Next Steps
• Do NOT take anti-rabies vaccine or immunoglobulin for this incident.
• Clean the cut with soap and water and apply an antiseptic.
• Since tetanus was taken 2.5 months ago, no further tetanus action is needed.
• If anxiety about rabies keeps recurring, consider one focused consultation with a physician to break the reassurance-seeking cycle.
Health Tips
• Rabies transmission requires direct saliva contact from a rabid animal to broken skin or mucosa — not indirect chains.
• Fomites (objects, taps, tools) do not transmit rabies.
• Avoid internet stories; they often ignore basic virology.
• If you ever have a true bite or scratch from a dog/cat/wild mammal, seek care immediately — otherwise, do not over-treat.
If you want, I can also give you a simple checklist to decide when rabies vaccine is actually needed.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
No Need
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
No you and your mother don't need ARV
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Chances of rabies by rat bite is negligible
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Vaccinate yourself better to be safe than sorry plus it will give protection from future risks consult if you have any more queries
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Not needed
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
In your query every thing is assumption.
Rabies virus enterd throw cut????
There is no proof rabies virus is there or not.
BUT ON BASIS OF DOUBT
U CAN GO FOR VACCINATION.
NO ANY PROBLEM.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Not needed.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Need some more details kindly consult
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Rabies most commonly affects domestic animals such as cats, dogs, cattle, and horses. It is very uncommon in rodents like mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits. Birds, reptiles (including turtles and lizards), fish, and insects are not susceptible to rabies.
Next Steps
Keep the wound clean
Health Tips
Stay calm—rabies is rare, especially if there was no bite or scratch from a suspected animal.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
No, you do NOT need anti-rabies vaccine.
Rabies does not spread this way (through carrot, hand, tap, blade).
Rats do not spread rabies.
Rabies spreads only by direct bite or scratch from a rabid animal.
About tetanus:
You took tetanus 2.5 months ago → you are protected.
Next Steps
Wash the cut with soap and water
Apply antiseptic
Nothing else is required
Health Tips
Rabies vaccine is needed only if an animal bites or scratches you directly.
For indirect contact like this, no treatment is needed.
You are safe.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dont need,No worry, First of all, rabies virus dies quickly outside the body.its doesn't survive in outer surfaces .dont be anxious too much .if you have still fear for rabies ,you can go for it because rabies vaccine has no side effect and its fully safe.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Ahmad Faraz Danish
General Physician
14 yrs exp
Raigarh
anti rabies vaccine ( post exposure prophylaxis) is not required in your case. it is required if a canine animal scratches or bite.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Nimmi Mulwani
General Physician
10 yrs exp
Ahmedabad
Rodents don't cause rabies
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Amal Vadakke Valiya Parambil
General Practitioner
2 yrs exp
Kozhikode
No you don't need anti rabies vaccination.Rats do not spread rabies and rabies did not spread through this way. As of now you are safe since you had tetanus vaccine 2.5 months back
Next Steps
clean the wound and apply antiseptic ointment
Health Tips
You can take rabies vaccine if you are still anxious or either go for pre exposure rabies vaccine to be on safe side in future
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Sowndarya M
General Practitioner
2 yrs exp
Coimbatore
No need of anti rabies vaccination. Donât get afraid .
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Do consult
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Articles you may like
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
The question asked on this page is a free question. You can ask a free health question by downloading the Practo app.
Articles you may like
Tell us what's troubling you
Tell us what's troubling you
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.