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Does Rabies Virus Survive For Long Outside The Body?
Question: about 2 weeks ago my dig got a hold of a small animal started choking on it, i had to pull it out of his mouth cutting my finger in the process.
Based on this the er started me on rabies post exposure treatment.
when I went to find the remains of the animal (after I locked my dog up). I put the flashlight that touched the animal in the back of my truck. My fear is that my dog crushed its head and some sort of brain goo, or spinal fluid was on the flash light and that it was transferred to my seat. Basically it was under a shirt for two weeks before I noticed. I cleaned it out (this was 2 weeks ago)
Can the rabies virus live for 2 weeks in the back seat of my truck under a shirt, and if so are other things in my truck contaminated.
My fear is my wallet and computer bag were int the truck today and I grabbed them with out thinking about it, then I bought my kids some snacks and touched the outside of the chips bag. Could the rabies virus still be alive in my truck, would it die in the dark in 2 weeks? are my kids safe
Based on this the er started me on rabies post exposure treatment.
when I went to find the remains of the animal (after I locked my dog up). I put the flashlight that touched the animal in the back of my truck. My fear is that my dog crushed its head and some sort of brain goo, or spinal fluid was on the flash light and that it was transferred to my seat. Basically it was under a shirt for two weeks before I noticed. I cleaned it out (this was 2 weeks ago)
Can the rabies virus live for 2 weeks in the back seat of my truck under a shirt, and if so are other things in my truck contaminated.
My fear is my wallet and computer bag were int the truck today and I grabbed them with out thinking about it, then I bought my kids some snacks and touched the outside of the chips bag. Could the rabies virus still be alive in my truck, would it die in the dark in 2 weeks? are my kids safe
Brief Answer:
Rabies virus cannot live in dry status outside the body.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you writing in healthcare magic.
You should know that Rabies virus is transmitted through saliva and brain/nervous system tissuea and only these specific bodily excretions and tissues transmit rabies virus.
.Rabies virus becomes noninfectious when it dries out and when it is exposed to sunlight.
So , based on these facts you shouldn't worry because the rabies virus cannot live outside the body even after 2 weeks and your children are safe.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.
Rabies virus cannot live in dry status outside the body.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you writing in healthcare magic.
You should know that Rabies virus is transmitted through saliva and brain/nervous system tissuea and only these specific bodily excretions and tissues transmit rabies virus.
.Rabies virus becomes noninfectious when it dries out and when it is exposed to sunlight.
So , based on these facts you shouldn't worry because the rabies virus cannot live outside the body even after 2 weeks and your children are safe.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
My concern is that it wasn't exposed to sunlight
I am assuming it was dry, I don't know
But is there any way the rabies virus in brain or nerve secritiond could live for 2 weeks and then transfer to another object
I am assuming it was dry, I don't know
But is there any way the rabies virus in brain or nerve secritiond could live for 2 weeks and then transfer to another object
Brief Answer:
Virus cannot live 2 weeks because is fragile under most normal conditions.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you writing back.
I am sorry for my late response.
Even if it wasn't exposed to sunlight the rabies virus in brain and nerve secretions (outside the body) cannot live 2 weeks because is fragile under most normal conditions. It is destroyed within a few minutes at temperatures greater than 122°F, and survives no more than a few hours at room temperature. The virus is no longer infectious once the material containing the virus is dry.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.
Virus cannot live 2 weeks because is fragile under most normal conditions.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you writing back.
I am sorry for my late response.
Even if it wasn't exposed to sunlight the rabies virus in brain and nerve secretions (outside the body) cannot live 2 weeks because is fragile under most normal conditions. It is destroyed within a few minutes at temperatures greater than 122°F, and survives no more than a few hours at room temperature. The virus is no longer infectious once the material containing the virus is dry.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
1. So contact with the cage or anything that may have touched the animal is safe because it has been two weeks.
2. I am still on rabies prevention shots is there anything I could spread to my family (I have one shot left)
2. I am still on rabies prevention shots is there anything I could spread to my family (I have one shot left)
Brief Answer:
Yes it is safe after 2 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you writing back.
Yes, I emphasize again that it is safe because rabies virus in brain and nerve secretions outside the body , cannot live 2 weeks because is fragile under most normal conditions.
You cannot spread the rabies virus during the vaccination periods, but even without vaccination, because no confirmed cases of rabies occurring in this way have been reported. This has only occurred in a small number of cases after transplants (corneas, liver, kidneys) from an infected person.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.
Yes it is safe after 2 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you writing back.
Yes, I emphasize again that it is safe because rabies virus in brain and nerve secretions outside the body , cannot live 2 weeks because is fragile under most normal conditions.
You cannot spread the rabies virus during the vaccination periods, but even without vaccination, because no confirmed cases of rabies occurring in this way have been reported. This has only occurred in a small number of cases after transplants (corneas, liver, kidneys) from an infected person.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.
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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