Does a child need a shot if scratched by a cat but not broken skin?
Disease description:
A five-year-old child was accidentally scratched by a neighbor's cat while playing with it. However, the skin was not broken, and only slight red marks were left. The parents are concerned whether it is necessary to take the child to the hospital for rabies vaccination.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Bai Hongmei
Generally, if a child is scratched by a cat but the skin is not broken, it is usually not necessary to receive a rabies vaccination. However, if the cat shows signs of suspected rabies, such as abnormal behavior, excessive excitement, increased aggression, or if the cat's vaccination status is unknown, it is advisable to receive the rabies vaccine for better prevention.
When a child is scratched by a cat but there is no skin injury, the rabies virus typically cannot enter the body through an intact skin barrier, so the risk of rabies infection is relatively low. Rabies virus primarily enters the body through broken skin or mucous membranes; if the skin is intact, the virus has difficulty invading. Therefore, rabies vaccination may not be necessary. However, it is still recommended to wash and disinfect the scratched area. The wound can be alternately rinsed repeatedly with soap and running water, followed by disinfection with iodine or alcohol.
However, if the cat shows signs of suspected rabies, such as abnormal behavior, excessive excitement, increased aggression, or if the cat's vaccination status is unknown, it is advisable to receive the rabies vaccine for better protection.
To ensure safety, parents are advised to consult a doctor and make a decision regarding rabies vaccination based on professional medical advice. Additionally, children should be educated on proper interaction with animals to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.
