Can you get rabies from a scratch through clothes?
Rabies virus does not penetrate intact skin or clothing. Thus, unless there is a history of a bite that broke the skin, or saliva contact with broken skin or mucous membranes (including the eyes), there was no exposure.
Can a dog bite through clothes?
Breaking that barrier is what’s dangerous. A dog’s teeth can puncture jeans and skin if the bite is aggressive. In that case, seek medical attention and advice. On the other hand, if the dog playfully grabbed your body without puncturing your clothes and skin, no danger exists.
Can you get rabies from a scratch?
People usually get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal. It is also possible, but rare, for people to get rabies from non-bite exposures, which can include scratches, abrasions, or open wounds that are exposed to saliva or other potentially infectious material from a rabid animal.
What happens to the rabies virus after it dries?
The rabies virus is a very fragile virus. As soon as the saliva dries, the virus is no longer infectious. The virus is easily killed by soaps, detergents, bleach, alcohol and ultraviolet light. What will happen to the animal after a person has been bitten or otherwise exposed?
Can rabies virus be excreted in saliva of infected animals?
Extensive studies on dogs, cats, and ferrets show that the rabies virus can be excreted in the saliva of infected animals several days before illness is apparent. Such extensive studies have not been done for wildlife species, but it is known that wildlife species do excrete rabies virus in their saliva before the onset of signs of illness.
What should you do if an animal is infected with rabies?
First, thoroughly wash the wound with soap and running water. Gather as much information about the animal as possible. Contact your physician as soon as possible and notify your local public health unit or the state health department as well as local law enforcement. How long is the rabies virus infectious after it is outside of the rabid animal?