Worried about rabies

[Shafie]

I'm a 25 year old man and about 7 years ago when i was still young a stray cat was dying cause it got hit by a car so i was helping her out she scratched me and i really can't remember if it cut me open i thought that it would never possess any rabies risk but now i keep reading online that the virus incubation period can stay for up to 25 years I'm really worried what should i do, is it still possible to take pep and if i take will i be 100% safe thanks for your time.

[Shafie]

My doctor said I have nothing to worry about at all. What do you think I should do?

[nonny419]

Did the cat bite you or scratch you. The thought of rabies is scarey but it is rare. As far as I kow it would be in the saliva the bite also would most likely got infected .I have not heard of getting it from a scratch. cat bite are terrible they get infected a lot more than dog bite .My cat bite me about a month ago taking hr paws and wrapping them around my hand ,I hand my hand on the bed not looking I must have moved it and she thinks your playing I felt pain like she bit my hand to the bone it looked like a vampire bit me but the next day i could even bend my hand it didn't hurt unless I touch it like lay it on the table ,I would scream that's how bad it hurt  we call her chompers she bites terrible my son playing with her got the same thing but got a bad infection. What has made you afraid you have rabies? did you clean out the scratch ? did you get infected ? Most likely you will be fine especially if it was a scratch not a bite. How long did you have the cat before she past/ a animal hit is in pain so they do hurt and protect them self by scratching a rabid cat will be really sick not just hurt .I don't know where you live but in the states rabies is hardly seen I fostered baby animals years ago I know they had us stop caring for racoons they had a rabies like virus going around this was 35 years ago tho .If it make you feel better go see a infectious disease specialist . Let us know how you do  

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
I understand your concern regarding this and rabies incubation may indeed be long term. However, post exposure prophylaxis may not be as effective if you take it now. Since the cat was already dying during that time, it is not easy to tell also if it has rabies. It is best that you check with your attending physician for proper evaluation also. Take care and do keep us posted.