I recently got bitten by a street dog, which left a scratch without any bleeding. I quickly rinsed it with tap water for about 10 or 30 seconds and then got the intradermal antirabies vaccine around 45 minutes later. I'm a bit concerned about a few things. Could I still be at risk for rabies since I didn't wash the bite with soap for a full 15 minutes? Also, is there a chance my family could catch rabies just from washing dishes in the same spot where I cleaned my leg? I'm worried because I noticed the hospital might not have kept the vaccine cold the entire time I mean, they took it out in the morning and used it throughout the day, and I got my first dose around 4:30. For the second dose, they did get it right from storage, but the cool box was always open. Is there a possibility that this could affect how well the vaccine works and my chances of getting rabies?

Dr Chandra P

General Practitioner

• MBBS
• 5+ Yrs

Consult Now

For a scratch without bleeding from a street dog bite, washing the site with running tap water for 10-30 seconds is a good first aid measure. The risk of rabies transmission through such a scratch is very low. However, to be safe, you received the intradermal antirabies vaccine, which is the appropriate course of action to prevent rabies infection. Rabies is not transmitted through objects like utensils. The virus is primarily transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite. Washing utensils where you washed the bitten site does not pose a risk of rabies transmission to your family members. The rabies vaccine is sensitive to temperature and must be stored properly to maintain its effectiveness. If the vaccine was not stored correctly, there is a risk that its potency may have been compromised. However, receiving the vaccine doses as you described (45 minutes after the bite and on the fourth day) is still beneficial in preventing rabies infection. It is important to complete the full course of the vaccine as prescribed by your healthcare provider to ensure protection against rabies.

Answered 15 days ago