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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Concerned About Contracting Rabies. Had A Dog Scratch In The Past. Anything Can Be Done?

I am from Kolkata(India), Now I am suffering from very much fear and anxity regarding rabies because once I had scratch by a dog aproxmatly 7-8 years back and was not vaccinated by myself. On that time I was not aware abaout that decease, but few days before I suddenly have noticed some article on internet that mentioned rabies can take effect by several years also. As soon as I notice this information from internet I started to feel very much fear and going to be crazy, some time I feel I would better to sucide before die with that pathetic decease.
Please Please help me to get rid from that fear and kindly suggest would rabies realy take affect after 7 years if dog scratch. I am newly maried haiving younger brother, Mother and Father and I am the earning member of my family, Trust me Doctor I dont want to die now, I want to live with happy.

Please advice what should I do.
Tue, 23 Apr 2013
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Pediatrician,  's  Response
Hi Biplab,

Thank you for your query on Healthcare Magic.

Rabies will occur if that bitten dog infected with rabies virus at the time of bite.

What about the dog?

Is the dog is a pet or a street dog?

If the dog is a pet animal and its health was normal even after 10 days of bite there are very less chances of transmitting rabies.

Usually the incubation period for rabies is 20 to 180 days and most of disease usually present within this duration.

But longer incubation like 7 years is noted but it is a rare phenomenon.

Don't be panic and consult your Physician for your concern and get examined for your anxiety and apprehension.

Hope I have answered your query, if you have any clarification please let me know.

Regards.
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Pediatrician,  Dr. Y V Siva Sankara Murty's  Response
Hi,

Thanks for writing to health care magic.

Do not panic. You should control your anxiety and stress.

Even though rabies can occur after a very long incubation period it is rare.

Can you remember what happened to the dog.

I request you to please consult your doctor for anxiety and discuss with him the issue.

Hope this helps.
Take care.
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  User's Response
Hello dear
first of all be relaxed and free from anxiety of suffering from rabies.My dear after such a long span there are no chances of getting rabies.After biet from dog or monkey now a days we follow the animal for a week ,if any symptom of rabies develop during this span in animal then there are chance of rabies. Mearly by reading an article dont be stressed.live a smooth life.And believe in these lines.....why to fear when God is there......
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Cardiologist,  Dr. Anantharamakrishnan's  Response
Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

Fear of disease is equally worse as the disease..
7 years is too long an incubation period, even theoretically, for any organism
Forget it and enjoy life....
Your problem is Anxiety / you need psychiatric assessment and assistance.

Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
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Concerned About Contracting Rabies. Had A Dog Scratch In The Past. Anything Can Be Done?

Hi Biplab, Thank you for your query on Healthcare Magic. Rabies will occur if that bitten dog infected with rabies virus at the time of bite. What about the dog? Is the dog is a pet or a street dog? If the dog is a pet animal and its health was normal even after 10 days of bite there are very less chances of transmitting rabies. Usually the incubation period for rabies is 20 to 180 days and most of disease usually present within this duration. But longer incubation like 7 years is noted but it is a rare phenomenon. Don t be panic and consult your Physician for your concern and get examined for your anxiety and apprehension. Hope I have answered your query, if you have any clarification please let me know. Regards.