Do I need a rabies vaccine after being lightly scratched by a cat?
Disease description:
I was scratched by a cat yesterday—my hand has a minor abrasion but no bleeding. My mother wants me to get vaccinated. Do I need rabies vaccination for a minor scratch from a cat?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Tansheng
A cat scratch that breaks the skin requires rabies vaccination. Regardless of the depth of the wound or whether bleeding occurs, prompt wound cleansing and disinfection are essential following any cat bite or scratch, followed immediately by rabies vaccination. Cats may carry the rabies virus, and in some cases, rabies immune globulin may also be required concurrently. Rabies is an extremely dangerous disease—preventable but untreatable; once infection occurs, the fatality rate is 100%.
