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Suggest Treatment After Bitten By A Monkey

Posted on Wed, 19 Oct 2016

Question: On 07.08.2016 in an attempt to snatch 'XXXX' at a temple a black faced long tail monkey pricked a nail resulting into a small droplet of blood coming out. Nearby people told that there this was usual and happens to 2-4 people daily. Being on way I did not bother for immediate vaccination. Itching persisted for a few minutes and reddishness has also now gone when I am back home. I am 64 year old with height 5.5 ft. and 52 kg. weight and long history of chronic bronchitis. I am afraid of developing Rabies in future.Is it useful to get vaccination now after 10 days from incident?

Answered by Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
good health

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for query.

You can get rabies vaccination now and a tetanus shot.
It can prevent the future consequences.
Don't worry just get the vaccine by a local physician.

Get back if any query.

Regards,
Dr VSK

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar (19 hours later)

Is there any risk of transmission of Rabies virus through nails of a monkey even though its blood does not come in contact through nails - I mean to ask if any fluid comes out from nails of monkeys that may contain virus of Rabies, or else is there any real likelihood of nails of the monkey being contaminated by Rabies virus ? Indeed, I want to avoid unnecessary vaccination in this age while necessary medication is must. Please advise on need for vaccination due to this sole incident.

Answered by Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
good health

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for follow up.

Incubation period of rabies is 1-3 months,whenever there is bleed from nail prick,its better to get vaccination done. You have already delayed. In monkey you can't even find whether rabies has established or not.
Any age people can get rabies vaccination done. You have already delayed.

Regards,
Dr VSK

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar (5 days later)

I have started vaccination starting from 17.09.2016 in the hope that if any virus has not yet entered nervous system, it will be controlled by vaccine so that I shall not need to keep in fear after vaccination is over on 15.10.2016.

Answered by Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
good health

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for follow up.

Yes,Make sure you take full course of vaccination.

Regards,
Dr VSK

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj