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Anti rabies vaccine
Does anti rabies vaccine (ARV) are usually needed after a rat bite?please tell me what should be done after rat bite or scratch?
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No ARV is required after a rat bite because by the time a rat is capable of transmitting the Rabies, it is already dead.
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Rabies vaccine is usually not required after a rat bite or scratch, as the risk of rabies is very low.
Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for last 10-15 minutes and apply as antiseptic.
A tetanus shot may be needed, and antibiotics can be advised if the wound is deep or infected.
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Usually no arv vaccine needed for rat bite. However u need to inject td vaccine and wound care. Also follow antibiotics
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Had a rat bite recently. I have advised washing the wound well with soap and water for 10-15 mins, apply antiseptic, and keep it covered.
No need for rabies vaccine as per Indian guidelines for rat bites. Give tetanus shot if it is due, and antibiotics to prevent infection.
Ask the patient to watch for fever, rash, or swelling. Everything is fine now. Good to consult a professional quickly instead of ignoring it. Thanks ..!
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Usually ARV vaccine is not required for rat bite.However take tetanus toxoid injection is advised
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Usually NO
Domestic rat are not a carrier for Rabbies and cannot transmit too
Just clean your wound and take a Tetanus shot
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Normally ARV is not needed in case of rodents (like rats) bite or scratch, you just need to
1. Wash the wound cleanly under running tap water with a soap
2. Apply mupirocin ointment or povidone iodine solution
3. Consult a doctor for assurance
And you take one booster dose of TT if you haven't taken any for 5 years of last dose.
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In case of a rat bite or scratch, rabies risk is extremely low and in most situations anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) is not required. Rats and small rodents are not typical carriers of rabies.
What you should do immediately-
1.Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for 10–15 minutes
2.Apply an antiseptic (like povidone iodine)
3. Do not ignore even small scratches
Regarding need of anti-rabies vaccine:
Usually NO for rat bites
Consider ARV only if:
-The animal behaved unusually (very aggressive/sick)
-There is doubt about the type of animal
-As advised by a doctor after examination
Next Steps
-Check your tetanus vaccination status → you may need a booster if not taken in last 5 years
-Watch the wound for signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus, fever)
-If any such signs appear, consult a doctor for antibiotics
Health Tips
-Rat bites more commonly cause bacterial infections, not rabies
-Keep the wound clean and dry
-Seek medical help if the wound is deep, bleeding heavily, or not healing
Overall, no need to panic—just proper wound care and observation is usually enough.
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Rat is rabid animal. So any one advise for vaccine
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Can you send pic of scratch... did it bleed ??
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You do not need anti rabies vaccine, but do take a shot of tetanus.
Clean the bite area with running water and soap, apply betadine lotion over it.
If pain redness and or swelling, take tab combiflam one every 8hours for 3 days, after meals.
If you develop fever, start antibiotics.
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Hello,
Dealing with a rat bite or scratch can be concerning. While rats are mammals, the clinical approach to these injuries differs slightly from dog or cat bites, particularly regarding the risk of Rabies.
1. Is the Rabies Vaccine (ARV) Needed?
According to World Health Organization (WHO) and standard clinical guidelines, rats and other small rodents (like mice, squirrels, and hamsters) are almost never found to be infected with Rabies. They do not typically survive an attack by a larger rabid animal and are not known to transmit Rabies to humans. Therefore, the Anti-Rabies Vaccine is generally not required for a rat bite or scratch.
2. Other Infection Risks
While Rabies is not a concern, rat bites can carry other significant risks that require medical attention:
Bacterial Infections: Rats carry various bacteria in their mouths that can cause localized infections (cellulitis).
Rat-Bite Fever (RBF): A systemic bacterial illness transmitted through bites or scratches.
Tetanus: Any puncture wound or deep scratch from an animal carries a risk of Tetanus if your vaccinations are not up to date.
Immediate Action Plan
If you have been bitten or scratched, please follow these steps:
Thorough Wound Cleaning: Immediately wash the area with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes. This is the most effective way to remove bacteria and prevent infection.
Apply Antiseptic: Use an iodine-based solution (like Betadine) or an antibiotic ointment on the cleaned wound.
Check Tetanus Status: If you have not had a Tetanus toxoid injection in the last 5 years, you should receive a booster dose.
Monitor for Symptoms: Watch the area for 48–72 hours for signs of infection, such as:
Increased redness or swelling.
Pus or discharge.
Fever or chills.
Word of Caution: While the risk of Rabies is negligible, bacterial infections from rats can escalate quickly. If you notice any spreading redness (red streaks) or if you develop a fever, please consult a doctor immediately for a course of oral antibiotics.
Summary: You generally do not need a Rabies vaccine for a rat bite. Focus on thorough wound cleaning, ensuring your Tetanus shot is up to date, and monitoring for signs of bacterial infection.
Best regards.
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Rabies vaccine is usually not needed for rat bite.
Wash well with soap and water, apply antiseptic. Tetanus and antibiotics may be needed.
If wound is deep or not healing, get it checked.
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According to global health guidelines (WHO and CDC), rats and mice are not known to transmit Rabies to humans. Rodents are very rarely infected with the Rabies virus, and there has been no documented case of human Rabies resulting from a rat bite. Therefore, the Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) is not routinely recommended for a rat bite or scratch. However, a rat bite carries a high risk of other bacterial infections and Tetanus, which must be addressed immediately."
Next Steps
"1. Biological Resistance: Small rodents like rats, squirrels, and hamsters almost never carry Rabies in the wild because any encounter with a rabid predator (like a dog) that could transmit the virus would likely kill the small rodent instantly.
2. Lack of Human Transmission: There are no recorded instances of a human contracting Rabies from a rodent bite anywhere in the world."
Health Tips
Even though Rabies isn't a concern, you must take these steps for a rat bite:
Wound Care: Thoroughly wash the bite or scratch with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes to reduce the bacterial load.
Tetanus Toxoid: If you haven't had a Tetanus shot in the last 5 years, get a Tetanus (TT) booster injection immediately.
Antibiotics: Rat bites can lead to 'Rat Bite Fever' or cellulitis. Consult a doctor for a short course of broad-spectrum antibiotics (like Amoxicillin-Clavulanate).
Monitor for Fever: If you develop fever, rash, or joint pain in the next 2-10 days, seek medical help urgently."
Any further doubt you cN connect and consult
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Yes you need ARV vaccine,,get yourself vaccinated as soon as possible.
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Need few more details for proper understanding of your issue.
You can consult with me online on Practo or whatsapp on eight three one eight four six nine eight eight six for proper diagnosis, conclusion and management
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Generally we don’t give anti rabies for rat bite but if there is any kind of infection then antibiotics should be given and tetanus should be given
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Domestic mouse bites doesn’t necessarily require but if it is wild or big ones , not the domestic mouse types may require.
Next Steps
Kindly consult a doctor nearby to show the wound and get the vaccine if necessary
Health Tips
Clean the skin surface immediately with running water for 15 mins and wash with soap. Can apply antiseptic like povidone iodine solution after drying.
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Usually anti rabies vaccine are not needed
Next Steps
need antibiotics and antiinflamatory oral medicine
Health Tips
consult for more details
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Sachin Madan
General Physician
8 yrs exp
Rajgarh
Rabies transmission from rodents like rats is extremely rare, so anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) is usually NOT required after a rat bite or scratch.
Next Steps
What should be done:
- Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 10–15 minutes
- Apply an antiseptic like povidone iodine
- Topical antibiotic (e.g., mupirocin) can be used to prevent local infection
- Take tetanus prophylaxis (TT) if not updated in last 5 years
- When to consult doctor urgently:
- Deep wound / bleeding
- Signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus, fever)
- Immunocompromised patient
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Do connect and consult
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Don’t worry
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Dr. Sumanth K
General Physician
2 yrs exp
Sorab
ARV is generally not required for rat bites because rodents like rats, mice, and squirrels are not considered carriers of the rabies virus. However, immediate wound cleaning is crucial, and the treatment will be inj TT One shot and if any fever is there you should have one course of antibiotics like Tab.augmentin 625mg BD
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Dr. Dinesh Mehta
General Physician
3 yrs exp
Jaipur
According to guidelines rat bite is rarely transmitted rabies virus.usually dont needed arv .but why take risk or chance , go for vaccination. Prevention is cure.
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Dr. Ravi Kumar Nadella
General Physician
18 yrs exp
Hyderabad
Arv needed
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Dr. Danish Qureshi
General Physician
15 yrs exp
Jaipur
yes its needed
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Dr. Harshad Bagade
General Physician
9 yrs exp
Amravati
No you don’t need ARV , Injection T.T is enough.
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