Download FREE Practo app
Get ₹200 HealthCash
Rabies risk
My 19-month-old had a scratch from falling down, and after 1 hour she went to the garden. If a dog had licked the injured area, the immediate photo of injury is below, i took it after few mins of her falling down. could there be any risk of rabies?
Answers (24)
Get your queries answered instantly with Care AI FREE
20000+ health queries resolved in last month
I don’t think there’s any risk involved with such a small abrasion. But, details about paediatric vaccinations should be confirmed with a paediatrician for an accurate guidance.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Didn't find the answer you are looking for?
Talk to experienced doctor online and get your health questions answered in just 5 minutes.
+166
No risk , it's a simple abrasion not deep wound ,so dont worry.
Next Steps
povidone ointment
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Visit nearest hospital and get a consultation with a physician as this needs further evaluation
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
It will not transmit
Pls don’t worry
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
If you want to discuss your problem in more detail, feel free to message me on WhatsApp at nine one one nine two five five six nine nine for a free detailed discussion
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Yes there can be a risk of rabies if the dog is infected. Clean the sound with soap and water and get your baby vaccinated in case of dog licking the wound.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
No risk.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
1. The scratch is a superficial fall injury
Looking at the photo, the mark is a very superficial skin abrasion, not a deep wound.
This type of scratch bleeds a little but closes quickly and becomes dry within minutes.
Such wounds are not considered high-risk for rabies exposure unless directly contaminated with fresh saliva from a rabid animal, which is extremely unlikely.
2. A dog would need to lick the wound immediately and directly
Rabies transmission needs:
• fresh saliva
• from a rabid animal
• entering a fresh, bleeding wound
• within seconds to minutes
Your child fell, you checked the wound, and only after one hour she went to the garden.
By that time the scratch surface is already partly dry and closing.
Even if a dog had licked the area (which is only an assumption), dried or closing scratches do not allow rabies virus entry.
3. Garden dogs licking the ground do NOT transmit rabies
For rabies risk, the dog must directly lick the wound.
Saliva lying on surfaces like soil, plants, or air-exposed objects becomes inactive within minutes.
The virus cannot survive drying.
4. Children with small scratches who play outdoors do NOT need rabies vaccine
Worldwide guidance including WHO clearly states:
Category I contact (touching intact skin or healed scratches) = No risk, No vaccine needed.
Your child’s wound at the time of garden play was:
• not open
• not fresh
• not actively bleeding
• not directly licked by a dog
Therefore it falls under Category I – zero risk.
Health Tips
Rabies vaccination is only needed if:
a dog bites, scratches with its claws, or
a dog licks a fresh bleeding wound within minutes of injury.
None of this happened here.
Answered
Flag this answer
2/2 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
The risk of rabies from a dog licking a minor scratch is extremely low, especially if the dog appears healthy and is vaccinated. Rabies is usually transmitted through bites that break the skin.
What to do:
Wash the scratch thoroughly with soap and water.
Apply an antiseptic.
Monitor for signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus).
No rabies vaccine is typically needed for a scratch without bite from a healthy dog.
Answered
Flag this answer
2/2 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Be calm
In this situation it is better to take the complete rabies vaccination because as the image suggests an open wound and if at all the dog is a rabies carrier there would be more chance of being infected and remember rabies is deadly.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
It depends on the animal if a certain animal carries rabies then only you can be affected, better to be safe than sorry, You can get full anti-rabies injections day-wise from nearby community or government health centres they will guide you about anti-rabies vaccination or injections
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
You can consult me directly on Practo, or reach out via WhatsApp:
Eight Seven Six Two Seven Four Nine Nine Seven Four
I’ll guide you step-by-step with easy-to-follow treatment plans.
Early consultation helps avoid complications — feel free to connect.
Only whatsapp message no calls
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
YOU USE
'IF' MEANS U DON'T SEE ANY DOG?
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Category 2 dog bite
Must be vaccinated as soon as possible
Next Steps
wash wound with running water and soap
Health Tips
ARV is must
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
It is Category 2 dog bite.
No need to panic.
Firstly immediately clean the wound with plenty soap and water.
Get to the nearest Government Hospital.
Get ARV vaccine and Td shot(if baby hasn’t been given regular vaccinations)
Vaccine is completely safe.
No need to monitor dog. Once you have completed vaccine schedule your baby is out danger.
For further enquiries and advises kindly ping me on Practo or contact me on Nine Zero One One Nine Nine Five Eight Eight Eight.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Is may there is risk if the dog had rabies
Dont need to panic sir , take ARV vaccine and td vaccine ( if not taken recently)
Next Steps
wash the wound with runing tap water sir
Health Tips
please get ARV asap for future fear
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
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
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Samreen Khan
General Physician
2 yrs exp
Delhi
Yes there will be a risk for rabies kindly consult and get vaccine
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Sajid Ali
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Kanpur
No risk at all, apply framycetin ointment on it
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. B R S Kumar
General Physician
25 yrs exp
Hyderabad
Sorry can’t advise re babies. Paediatric doctors will be able to.
All the best.
J G S R Clinic
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Do connect and consult
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Manoj Kumar
General Physician
10 yrs exp
Dehradun
Need few more details
Kindly consult
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Ravi Kumar Nadella
General Physician
18 yrs exp
Hyderabad
No risk
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Articles you may like
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
The question asked on this page is a free question. You can ask a free health question by downloading the Practo app.
Articles you may like
Tell us what's troubling you
Tell us what's troubling you
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.