rabies panic

[sherisheri]

I was on a bike when suddenly a dog attacked me. My jeans was torn yet there was no scratch on my skin. So I changed and went back to work as usual. Later in the evening I also went to the doctor he examined and reassured that I don't need to take injections. It has been 33 days and yet I am still scared. When do the symptoms appear? Is it too late by then? Are there any tests for rabies? What are the chances of me developing the disease?

[SassyLassie]

I agree with Caregiver, if the skin was not broken, then chances are slim, but, it is always best to be checked just in case as you did.

[caregiver222]

It is unlikely that you have rabies. It is medically incorrect information to state that rabies can only be transmitted through an animal bite. Saliva from a rabies infected animal can infect through contact with the mucosa on the eye. The period to develop rabies can be extensive...as long as 25 years. That being said, as long as the skin was not broken, the chances of transmission is highly unlikely.

[BritishFemale]

First of all if you have seen a doctor and been told you are fine, its likely you are fine! However everyone including doctors make mistakes so if it ensures you sleep better, get a second opinion.

If you are in a part of the world known to be affected by rabies, always seek medical advice as soon as possible if you are bitten or scratched by an animal, particularly a dog. You can also catch rabies if you have an open wound that is licked by an infected animal. You stated the bite didn't break your skin so unless you had a previous injury and a break in the skin at the time of the bite in the area the dog attacked you will not have rabies. However even a small scratch,like a picked spot or razor cut not even from the dog but in the area the dig bit - could potentially mean you were exposed.

The incubation period is the time it takes for symptoms to develop after a person is infected with the virus. The incubation period for rabies is usually two to 12 weeks, although it can be as short as four days. It would be highly unusual for the incubation period to last for more than a year. So at 33 days you are still not in the clear if you were indeed infected!

The closer the site of infection is to your brain, the shorter the incubation period. For example, a bite to your face, head or neck will have a shorter incubation period than a bite to your arm or leg.

The length of the incubation period is important because it is the only period in which treatment can be successful. So as long as you have no symptoms yet you can still be vaccinated and have nothing at all to worry about long term.

The initial symptoms of rabies are often vague, and it can be easy to mistake them for other less serious types of infection. They include:
a high temperature of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above
chills
fatigue (extreme tiredness)
problems sleeping
lack of appetite
headache
irritability
anxiety
sore throat
vomiting
Around half of people will also experience pain and a tingling sensation at the site of the infection.

Initial symptoms of rabies last for two to 10 days before more severe symptoms start to develop.

If you feel you need a second opinion go see another doctor. If you are sure you did not have broken skin you can be sure you are not infected. Even if the dog broke the skin, it may not have had rabies anyway. As I said above even if you are actually exposed a vaccination prior to becoming symptomatic ensures your health.

Hope this helps you to feel more secure that you are not at risk and you can still get a second opinion and treatment if you feel its necessary.

[jemma116]

Trust your doctor, you do not need to panic or worry.  The dog did not bite you.

It is only when a dog carrying the rabies virus bites you that you can get contaminated with rabies.  So you have nothing to worry about.

Forget it now and relax and enjoy whatever you choose to do.

Best wishes.