Do you need to get a rabies vaccine if bitten by a dog that does not have the rabies virus?
May 17, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Feng
Introduction
In general, even if bitten by a dog that does not have the rabies virus, it is still necessary to receive the rabies vaccine. After being bitten by a dog, vaccination against rabies is required regardless of whether the dog carries the virus, because a dog showing no signs of rabies does not necessarily mean it is free of the virus—most dogs may carry the rabies virus in their saliva without showing symptoms of the disease.
In general, even if bitten by a dog that does not carry the rabies virus, it is still necessary to receive the rabies vaccine. The specific analysis is as follows:
After being bitten by a dog, vaccination against rabies is required regardless of whether the dog carries the rabies virus. This is because even if a dog shows no signs of rabies, it may still carry the virus—most dogs' saliva can harbor the rabies virus without the animal showing symptoms of illness. For safety reasons, individuals are generally advised to get vaccinated, as rabies currently has no cure and infection can be life-threatening once symptoms develop. After a dog bite, the wound should be cleaned promptly using soap or water, flushing for approximately 10 minutes to remove some of the potentially contaminated saliva. It is recommended to seek medical attention at a正规 hospital as soon as possible to receive the rabies vaccine, as the vaccine is most effective when administered within 24 hours of exposure.
During recovery, it is important to maintain cleanliness at the wound site to prevent infection. A light diet is recommended, avoiding spicy or irritating foods, which might cause pain or itching at the affected area.
