Can I still get a shot if more than 24 hours have passed since being scratched by a cat and bleeding occurred?
Oct 30, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
In general, for individuals who have never received such vaccines or whose vaccine protection has expired, it may still be possible to receive injections even if more than 24 hours have passed since being scratched and bled by a cat. However, if the full course of tetanus or rabies vaccination has already been completed, re-vaccination is usually not necessary. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician.
In general, if a person has never been vaccinated against such diseases or the vaccine's protective effect has expired, it may still be possible to receive injections even if more than 24 hours have passed since being scratched by a cat and bleeding occurred. However, if the individual has already completed the full course of tetanus or rabies vaccination and remains within the effective protection period, repeat vaccination may not be necessary. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific analysis is as follows:
For individuals who have never received such vaccines or whose vaccine protection has expired, even if more than 24 hours have passed since the injury, vaccination against tetanus or rabies is still recommended provided that immediate and thorough initial wound management was performed—specifically, washing the wound with soap and running water for at least five minutes—and there are no obvious signs of infection at present.
For individuals who have completed the full series of tetanus or rabies vaccinations and remain within the vaccine’s effective protection period, repeat vaccination is generally unnecessary if the wound has been properly cleaned and shows no signs of infection. However, if symptoms of infection appear—such as redness, swelling, increased pain, fever, or pus discharge—a doctor may recommend thorough wound cleaning and appropriate anti-infective treatment first. After the infection is effectively controlled, a comprehensive assessment will determine whether further tetanus or rabies vaccination is needed.
If necessary, it is advisable to visit a正规 hospital for vaccination. One should carefully maintain wound dryness and cleanliness to prevent contamination. Additionally, it is best to reduce or avoid consuming spicy or irritating foods during recovery, as these may unnecessarily irritate the wound and impair the healing process.
