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Is Rabies Transmitted Through Infected Saliva Or Blood Of Rabid Dog?

Posted on Wed, 30 Dec 2015

Question: Hello sir!!sir I just want to know is rabies a saliva to blood disease or saliva to saliva also?im just asking as I have vaccinated dog who is never biiten by stary dog but it could be possible that if my vaccinated dog mouth is touched by stary dog or stary dog saliva came in contact with my dog saliva is there any thing to worry for myself??If pet dog tongue licked by unknown status of stray dog and it immediately licked any memeber of my family then there anything to worry or not?

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
saliva to saliva is possible if there is any damage to the mucus membrane

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care magic

Rabies virus will be present in the saliva of the rabid animal and this can be transmited to others either by licks or bite if there is any scratch or breach in the skin or the mucus membrane.

In your case as your dog is vaccinated the chance of getting the disease will not be there.

This is a disease wherein the saliva should come in contact with the blood. So there is no risk in your case.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (41 minutes later)

Sir so it can said with assurance that no family member is at risk even my pet vaccinated dog is licked or if there is tongue to tongue contact with stray dog and it immediately lick my family members?and sir how long a single booster dose of tetanus toxoid cover?and sir its true that pre rabies exposure vaccine keep individual safe for atleast a year as my dog vetnarian told me?
And sir how long or maximum virus survive when in air if it's dry then it's dead?

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Virus can survive for few seconds in atmosphere.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome back,

As there is no contact of saliva with raw surface it suggests that all are safe.

Tetanus toxoid can give protection upto 5 years.

Pre- exposure prophylaxis against rabies can give protection for one year and it will avoid the need of anti rabies serum if there is a cat III bite if any.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (43 minutes later)

Sir if pet dog immediately lick the skin which is slightly broken mean to say if it's tongue came in contact with saliva and then it immediately lick the skin then there is risk?as many say the virus is diluted in mouth?and sir saliva needs to be come in direct contact with mucous membrane or saliva is touched by finger and then accidently eyes mouth nose is touched then there is any risk or not these 2 are my only and last question for u!!thanking you

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
If there is breach then only it can transmit

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM

If there is any damage like breach in mucus membrane or ulcer then only the virus can gain entry into circulation and causes the disease.

So there is no risk in your case.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (1 hour later)

Sir but saliva need to be came in direct contact with injury or eyes nose mouth or if it saliva is on cloth and any other surface and u use that cloth or towel to clean eyes mouth then it's risky or not?

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
rubbing is a risky

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome back

It is very difficult to know whether there is any injury in the mucus membrane or not.

Rubbing is a risky behavior which may cause injury and penetrate the virus into circulation.
Thank you.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T