Thailand - Rabies Advice!?

[Gary10k]

Hello, looking for advice (or reassurance) About 6 weeks ago I was in Koh Tao and walking home at night I was bitten (skin broken) by some animal on the lower ankle - sadly it was too dark to identify the creature but given the size of the bite and the speed at which it fled it must have been small. I mentioned this to the Thai tour guide the next day and showed him the bite and he said their was no need for concern if I felt fine. In hindsight this was a terrible idea and I should have gone and got medical attention. I've looked online to see what the risk factor for rabies is on Koh Tao but haven't found much.

Could anyone offer some insight?

Thanks

[Sheryl]

With 6 weeks having passed, the dangers of wound infection and so forth are gone. For rabies, risk is highest if what bit you was a dog but from what you describe it may more likely have been a rat. While it is possible in theory for rats to be rapid it doesn't seem to be common, and there are very few known cases worldwide of rat to human rabies transmission.

In any case 6 weeks after the fact, there is nothing you can do.

[Gary10k]

With 6 weeks having passed, the dangers of wound infection and so forth are gone. For rabies, risk is highest if what bit you was a dog but from what you describe it may more likely have been a rat. While it is possible in theory for rats to be rapid it doesn't seem to be common, and there are very few known cases worldwide of rat to human rabies transmission.

In any case 6 weeks after the fact, there is nothing you can do.

So basically it's either all good or I'm dead?

[Sheryl]

Basically, yes. With odds overwhelmingly in favor of all good.

But for future reference, do get medical care for any animal bite.

[wpcoe]

Not sure if you live in Thailand or not, but if you do (or before your next visit if you don't), consider getting rabies vaccination shots. It's a series of three shots spread out over about a month. Rabies is a considerable threat in Thailand, and if left untreated, is 100% fatal (and not a pretty death) in humans.

[LindaatKIS]

I'd recommend to get rabies shots straight away. I understand that as long as you are not yet showing symptoms (ie as long as the virus has not yet replicated, which can take some time), the vaccine will work. It's an inconvenience but the risk is too high.