How long does rabies virus survive in the air?

[zhao_tian]

Yesterday, when I took my tool, I found that a stray dog was touching it.  Just a few minutes later, when I was working, my hand was cut and bleeding by the tool.  
If the dog is sick and there is rabies virus on the tool, is this situation dangerous? Thanks!

[mkh9]

" Inhalation of aerosolized rabies virus is one potential non-bite route of exposure, but except for laboratory workers, most people won’t encounter an aerosol of rabies virus." CDC
There have been rare cases (1 or 2 cases) where someone entered a cave full of bats and got it through inhalation. So it is not likely in normal circumstances.
Usually, you get it by getting the saliva from the animal into your bite or broken skin (contact with blood) or saliva from the animal into mucous membranes (eyes, nose or mouth).
https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/transmission/index.html
mkh9

[mkh9]

Hi, and welcome to the Infectious Disease Forum.
Rabies "dies" when it dries out or is exposed to sunlight.  Do you know if the spot you touched was still wet? Did you touch the area where the dog was with the open wound? Rabies is transmitted primarily by the saliva of a dog , cat or other animal's saliva. It is rare to get it by breathing the air. So, if you think you could have had your open wound contact wet saliva from the dog then you need to see a doctor. Or you can also e-visit most doctors . If you know for sure you got exposed then you need to get a rabies vaccine the day of the exposure or the day after. Then follow up with I believe two other shots. How long before you touched the tool was the dog touching it? Did he lick it? or sniff it? If you don't know you might double check with your physician.
Hope this helps,
mkh9

[cursed1]

I used to pet a little dog on a spike that would allow him to run in a circle.  Every morning, as I walked by, I would stop and pet this little lamb dog.  Adorable!  Well, one Saturday morning, a lady knocked at my door to tell me the puppy had died of rabies!  There was a shortage of rabies vaccine then, as there was an out break from skunks.  I drove out of the city and returned to my clinic to have them administer the dose(s).  At that time, I had heard it was only a couple of shots.  How wrong I was!  Fourteen days, fourteen shots subcutaneously all the way down my torso.  I looked like a nursing pig at the end.  I had 16 breasts!  It was so painful I could not wear clothes.
I do not know if this has changed, but I really regret having those shots.  My health has never been the same.  I have fibromyalgia now, and I do believe those rabies shots are to blame.
So, if you do not have to have the shots, please, do not get them.  It is a poison, that you may not recover from!

[mkh9]

To all, FYI the rabies shots have changed. They are not that bad any more. So do get your rabies shot if you have been bitten by a stray animal. Talk to your doctor first and do it right away.
thanks
mkh9