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Is Cold And Headache After Dog Bite Symptom Of Rabies?

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Posted on Sat, 31 May 2014
Question: Hi I had a dog bite. A superficial wound resulted with not much blood. The dog was vaccinated 2 days before the bite and after 12 days am having a cold and slight headache. Wanted to know if its a result of rabies. I visited my physician and he said its not a major wound and was asked to clean it up, put some neosporin for infection and then bandage on it. The wound healed after about 6 days. Is it likely i have been infected
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not a symptom of rabies

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this dog bite that you suffered.

The symptoms you have described and are not suggestive of rabies. It would be very unlikely that these symptoms are suggestive of an infection of rabies. Have you ever been vaccinated against rabies? If not your doctor should use this opportunity to provide and up to date vaccination against rabies so that future encounters wouldn't be very scary again.


In all, headache and cold is not typical of rabies. You are most likely not having a rabies infection.. If you have not been vaccinated against rabies, please do consider getting a full vaccination schedule.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (3 hours later)
I heard numbness is also a symptom. I felt this numbness in m let after sitting for a while. Is that not something to worry about. Also I have no itchiness as the site of the bite. I also feel this muscle aches ones in a while. Not severe ones tho. I am really worried because its been a month now and am still not feeling so good. I keep having tingling at my toes, fingers, and sometimes have joint pain. Can you elaborate on the symptoms.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
See below

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for following up with me.

Symptoms of rabies often start about 20days after exposure except in severe cases like big bites or bites on the face. This is clearly not the case with you.

A dog that has rabies would have manifested symptoms already within 10days. It has been 12days and this animal has not presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of rabies. This means you are not at risk anymore and per the world health organization guidelines, you need no further follow up about this current episode.

Symptoms include abnormal sensations, fevers, general body pains, fear of water, agitations, seizures, etc. These are not the symptoms you have reported.

In all, you are worried about rabies but you do not have rabies. That is for sure. You need to walk yourself out of this and no one else would do it for you. Your symptoms have absolutely nothing to do with rabies at this point.

I hope this helps. I wish you well and thank you so much for this opportunity to exchange with you on this. Fee free to ask for more information and clarification as the need arises.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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Is Cold And Headache After Dog Bite Symptom Of Rabies?

Brief Answer: Not a symptom of rabies Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this dog bite that you suffered. The symptoms you have described and are not suggestive of rabies. It would be very unlikely that these symptoms are suggestive of an infection of rabies. Have you ever been vaccinated against rabies? If not your doctor should use this opportunity to provide and up to date vaccination against rabies so that future encounters wouldn't be very scary again. In all, headache and cold is not typical of rabies. You are most likely not having a rabies infection.. If you have not been vaccinated against rabies, please do consider getting a full vaccination schedule. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be.