Can rabies be tested for?
Dec 03, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Feng
Introduction
In general, whether rabies can be tested depends on the purpose of the examination and the stage involved. After being scratched or bitten by an animal, immediately wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, then disinfect it with iodine tincture. Receive rabies vaccination promptly, avoid strenuous exercise, keep the wound clean and dry, eat a light diet, and avoid alcohol and spicy foods.
In general, whether rabies can be tested depends on the purpose of the test and the stage involved. A detailed analysis is as follows:
If testing is conducted for post-exposure screening or diagnosis after symptom onset, rabies can indeed be detected. After exposure, viral traces can be identified in saliva or skin tissue through methods such as viral antigen testing or nucleic acid testing. After symptoms appear, a definitive diagnosis can be made by examining cerebrospinal fluid or brain tissue in combination with clinical manifestations. These tests provide critical evidence for subsequent management and confirmation, helping determine whether infection has occurred and assess disease status.
However, for routine health checkups in healthy individuals or predictive testing in the absence of exposure, effective detection of rabies is generally not feasible. In these cases, if the virus is present, it is usually in a latent phase, with extremely low levels and hidden distribution. Current testing methods are unable to reliably detect such minimal amounts. Unnecessary testing is not only meaningless but may also lead to wastage of medical resources.
After being scratched or bitten by an animal, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, then disinfect it with iodine tincture. Seek prompt vaccination against rabies, avoid strenuous exercise, keep the wound clean and dry, maintain a light diet, and refrain from alcohol and spicy foods.
