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Can Rabies Virus Be Transmitted Through Air?

Posted on Wed, 24 Dec 2014

Question: i was bitten(got a scratch on my right hand) by a dog 4-5 years ago(did not get the vaccination & dog was ill(died within ten days) but i m not sure it died because of rabies)
i always used to play with stray dogs got sometimes lick by them
five months ago(27 XXXXXXX 2014) i was again bitten by a stray puppy but this time i got rabies vaccination (5 shots [four rabipur & one globuline]) after 3 days on my friend's advice who is an intern at MAMC
5 days ago i again inhale a breathe of a stray dog it was looking so weak & ill (bones were visible on its body it was also moving slowly)
should i take more shots or last course was enough?
should i worry about first case (4-5 years old bite) & last case (5 days old inhalation) ?
can a person get rabies through air?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Rabies cannot be got through air

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

Rabies cannot be got through air, it is only through the saliva of the dog. I would like to add here that if you get licked ok a broken or cut skin by a rabid dog then you might still contract rabies, however since you are immunised you stand a lesser chance of contracting rabies.

Inhalation of breath can cause a respiratory infection as some viruses and bacteria that affect dogs can also affect humans so please watch out for fever, cough and sore throat. Please get tested and treated with antibiotics if you do so.

I am happy that you play and take care of stray dogs, I am an avid god lover too. Please be a little more careful from now on

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (40 hours later)

i got a scratch 4 years ago
vaccinated just 4 months ago
i mean to ask u that
1.) Is vaccination effective against a 4 years old bite
2.) Do i still have a chance of contracting rabies even after vaccination

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back.

1. The vaccination is not effective against the bite that has taken place 4 years ago
2. The vaccination is effective in preventing rabies for the next two years. There is not chance of contracting rabies if you have been vaccinated against it

I hope I was clear with answers, please get back to me if you have any further doubts

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (3 days later)

1)should i be worry about 4 years old bite
2)after how much time one must take vaccination again after the previous vaccination if dog bite happen again
3)what is milwakee protocol. does this exist in XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back

1. There is no need to worry about the bite which was 4 years back.
2. Vaccination needs to be repeated once again after 2 years for protection against rabies
3. Milkwaukee protocol is done for patients who have been diagnosed with rabies and affected neurologically, anti viral medications are administered after chemically inducing coma. You need not go through it as you are currently asymptotic

I hope I was of help

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar