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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Prevent Rabies?

Hi, I used to play with street dogs(puppies). I haven t bitten by them but still I am afraid of rabies because sometime they scratch me with their nails. So can I take vaccination without any wound or bite? will it cause any bad effect to me? if Yes, please suggest me which category of doctor I should visit? I barely remember my last vaccination of rabies. I might have taken ~12 years ago because of dog bite. and It was my second vaccination. Thanks in advance. Lucky
Fri, 4 Nov 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Dear Lucky Babu, Hi & Welcome.

Any scratch or bite by dog requires rabies vaccination.

Although from the history the scratch appears to be harmless but frankly speaking there is no way of knowing whether the dog is infected or not because rabies virus can be excreted in saliva of infected animals several days before they show any sign of illness.

This means that animals can transmit rabies even if they are not yet sick because of their infection.

So you do need to get two booster doses on day 0 and day 3.

You need to visit any physician or infection specialist for the vaccination.

Hope this will help.
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How To Prevent Rabies?

Dear Lucky Babu, Hi & Welcome. Any scratch or bite by dog requires rabies vaccination. Although from the history the scratch appears to be harmless but frankly speaking there is no way of knowing whether the dog is infected or not because rabies virus can be excreted in saliva of infected animals several days before they show any sign of illness. This means that animals can transmit rabies even if they are not yet sick because of their infection. So you do need to get two booster doses on day 0 and day 3. You need to visit any physician or infection specialist for the vaccination. Hope this will help.