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Risk of rabies
Yesterday(24hours before) my friend's pet dog gave me scratches and the skin on my stomach got red, later after one hour the redness went away and i didnt see any bleeding or cut visible, but I can feel a little irritation and even now and a slight two little spots(which i am unsure if the dog gave me)
My question is do i need to get vaccine in this case and aslo he played with stray dogs just before scratching me, so is there any chance that the virus from stray while playing gets tranferred into me through pet's nail ?
Answers (27)
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LOW rabies risk but vaccination recommended.
Risk Level: LOW (pet dog, no bleeding, scratches only)
Category: II exposure (no RIG needed)
Vaccine Needed:
- 4 doses: Days 0, 3, 7, 14
- Start today
Dog Observation:
- Watch dog for 10 days
- If healthy = no rabies
No vaccine IF:
- Dog has current rabies vaccination
- Dog is healthy
Recommendation: Get vaccine unless dog's vaccination confirmed.
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Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
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Fiber meal
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No risk
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You don't need rabies vaccine but for safety you can wash the area with soap. And water thoroughly always and I would recommend tetanus injection
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You need vaccination only if there is bleeding, skin is broken, dog is stray, dog shows rabid behaviour in next 10 days
According to your details it is highly unlikely
And about your pet playing with stray rabbies virus transmit through rabid dog saliva and your dog is just playing and further more it didn't cut your skin so it is safe
Next Steps
just put some antiseptic cream or lotion on it
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you should go to any of the govt hospital and tell them happened and depending on how deep is the scratch and whether there was bleeding or not , the doctor will decide according to the categories and then will suggest you whether you need only tetanus and or ARV
Next Steps
To the emergency
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Yes. You should take rabies post exposure prophylaxis immediately within 72 hours in any govt hospital near you
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Hello,
I understand your worry — even minor scratches can cause anxiety when it comes to rabies. If the dog is a healthy pet, vaccinated against rabies, and under regular observation, then the risk of transmission is extremely low, especially since there was no bleeding or broken skin in your case.
The chance of rabies spreading through a pet’s nail after contact with a stray dog is also very unlikely — the virus doesn’t survive long outside the body and doesn’t usually transmit through indirect contact like that.
However, if you’re unsure about the pet’s vaccination status or can’t confirm if there was even a mild skin breach, it’s safer to start the rabies vaccine (PEP) as a precaution — it’s harmless and protective.
Let’s review your exposure in detail and decide whether vaccination is truly needed. You can connect with me through video consultation today — I’ll guide you step-by-step on whether to start the shots or just observe.
Warm regards,
Dr. Yash Duragkar
MD Medicine | Internal Medicine & Preventive Care
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Although the infection happens from infection site
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Take Anti Rabies Vaccine and TT dose
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Take TT and anti-rabies vaccine just to be on the safer side.
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Take TT
And get anti rabies vaccine
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If the skin is intact the virus wouldnt have entered your body so you are absolutely safe
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To avoid any risk, take anti rabies vaccine. Also take shot of tetanus toxoid. Clean scratch site adequately.
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If the pet and any other dog which scratched you with a grade one contact and the dog was not vaccinated then you need a ARV cover
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Yes, definitely with inj tt.
Four dosese of ARV ON 0,3, ,7, 28 DAYS.
SITE
DELTOID REASON IN UPPER ARM.
DOSE
1ML
ROUTE
INTRADERMAL.
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Since the scratch did not cause bleeding or break the skin, the risk of rabies transmission is extremely low, especially if the pet dog is healthy, vaccinated, and under observation.
However, because the dog had recent contact with stray dogs, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is advisable as a precaution. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, so it’s better to err on the side of safety.
What you should do:
1. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
2. Visit a nearby health center as soon as possible for rabies vaccination (Category II exposure — scratch without bleeding).
• Schedule: Day 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 (standard intramuscular regimen).
3. Rabies immunoglobulin is not needed unless there is a visible wound or bleeding.
4. Observe the pet dog for 10 days — if it remains healthy and vaccinated, you can discontinue further concern.
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Yes
Take anti rabies vaccine
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Dr. Shubham Bhujbal
General Physician
Ahmednagar
As you got Socrates with visible redness it is a category 2 wound and it requires full course of vaccination with Immunnoglobulin dose
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Dr. Manoj Kumar
General Physician
10 yrs exp
Dehradun
Need few more details
Kindly consult
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Dr. Sachin Bhiwaji Sanap
General Practitioner
7 yrs exp
Hingoli
need more information
kindly consult
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Nazia Begum M.G
General Physician
15 yrs exp
Belgaum
Yes u need to take vaccination
Consult online will guide you further
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Dr. Raviraj Singh Narwaria
General Practitioner
5 yrs exp
Mandsaur
Wash scratch/minor bite area under running water with soap.
As soon as possible -
1. Get Inj. Tetanus Toxoid shot
2. Inj. ARV(anti rabies vaccine) on 0,3,7,28 days
0.1ml each dose on both arms Intradermally at deltoid region at your nearby government hospital or clinic
Next Steps
Get your ARV doses as soon as possible
Health Tips
Watch your pet dog for 15 days for any abnormal symptoms
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