Will I die if I don’t receive a rabies vaccine after being scratched by a cat and bleeding?

Being scratched by a cat and bleeding does not usually result in death if no injection is administered; however, cat claws commonly carry various viruses and bacteria—especially *Clostridium tetani*, the bacterium that causes tetanus. After breaking the skin, these pathogens can cause infection, which becomes extremely difficult to treat once it develops. Following a cat scratch, the wound should be promptly washed with soap and water, and the individual should visit an authorized disease prevention and control center to receive a tetanus vaccine.