Want to know about rabies (non-bite risk) .

[timidman]

I want to ask something about rabies(non-bite risk).

I live in Seoul, South Korea. Some experts say Seoul is not a high risk of rabies, and some say no risk in Seoul.

Here is my story in evening(There is some 'IF' question. Please understand me. I have a health concerns)

I got a taxi today, and close the door to go home.(There was no dog I saw) But, when I close the door to touch door handle, there was a scar inside of my nail(there is no blood, but pain exist, looks like little red color) injured in morning. If there is an infected saliva on the door handle (from infected dog), Can I transmit rabies? <I couldn't see exactly saliva-like liquid, but concern about very little amount of saliva or dried saliva)

1. Is there a chance that Infected saliva contact DIRECTLY OR INDERECTLY inside of my nail?
     - Want to know about 2 case, Direct contact and Indirect contact(not directly on scar but near scar) .

2. Can Rabies virus live outside its host? (Korea's weather is little cold)
     - If the virus can live outside, How long can survive? (time) // There was few minutes that taxi was empty. And don't know about previous person got a taxi with a dog.

3. Is there infectious about dried saliva? or very small amount of saliva..?

I can't sleep and think about this everyday.. Am I have serious health concern? please help me..

[mkh9]

You also asked if Rabies virus can live outside the host, yes it can for a while. It is infectious. If you got it in an open sore or wound then there is a rare chance of getting it, if it didn't get in the wound and you didn't put your finger in your mouth then it is not likely at all. If you put the finger in your mouth there is a very rare chance. But , what was a dog doing in a taxi cab, do they allow that in your area? It was probably human saliva and I wouldn't worry about it. Have you ever seen a dog in a taxi? We don't do that here but I don't know about other places. I hope this helps you feel better. I understand your fears but it doesn't sound like you should worry. Maybe someone else will write too.
mkh9

[timidman]

Other Opinions?

I want to listen more things

[timidman]

Thank you for reply and sorry about my poor english..

I got a wound in morning. and it happend in evening.

I know this is silly question.. because I didn't see any dog. But I am concerned about IF there was a dog's saliva on the door handle.
Actually I confuse.. there was visible saliva or not..

I think.. I have to need mental help.. to dissipate a phobia.
To phobia.. very rare chance = not good :(

Thank you to give me an opinion 'mkh9'

[mkh9]

to Timidman,
It is very rare that you can get rabies from saliva into a wound or by other routes such as oral, eye etc. Do you know for sure this dog had rabies or is it just saliva? It is very rare if the dog or animal has rabies and you get it into a would and it didn't bite. It sounds like your wound happened when you opened the door and you got saliva from a dog into the wound? But you don't know if the dog had rabies. So there is a very rare chance you could have be exposed but not likely. It is up to you to decide whether to do anything about it. I hope this helps.
mkh9