Hello Doctor,
I encountered a lovely cat in an electronics store. It was affectionate but lightly bit me before I left. No broken skin. Could there be a risk of rabies?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr.Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
1. Assessment of Cat Encounter:
Given the circumstances you described, the risk of rabies seems minimal.
2. No Broken Skin:
The fact that the cat's bite did not break the skin significantly reduces the risk of rabies transmission.
4. Observation and Precaution:
While the risk appears low, it's advisable to monitor for any unusual symptoms. If concerns persist, consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice. Although the risk of rabies is minimal, rabies vaccination is still recommended. This patient has a class II wound according to WHO and needs only rabies immunization and does not need rabies immunoglobulin. Had the patient been bitten to bleeding, would have needed both rabies immunization and immunoglobulin.
