should I get a rabies shot.

[tadshiraz]

I have spent a lot of time in a cafe with a lot of kittens in. Theydon't llook rabid but they aren't in a good state. One jumped on my sholder the other day and although I only have a small scratch I feel like I should get rabies shots. I live in phuket and so I guess phuket hospital would be the best place for them?

[Gecko123]

I've never heard of getting a rabies shot because of a scratch, just bites, so a rabies shot probably isn't necessary.

However, as I see you are new to TVF, if you think you might be predisposed to making posts which are virulently and rabidly anti-Thai, it might not be a bad idea to get a rabies shot as a precautionary measure.

Edited October 15, 2014 by Gecko123

[Julie H]

Been here 40+ years, been bit by dozens of suspect dogs, a bottle of Chang always eases the pain

[ClutchClark]

OP,

You should submit this question to the medical forum.

You will receive serious responses from highly experienced posters about the very serious topic of Rabies.

Or you can PM Cheryl directly. She is the go-to person on this forum.

[MJP]

OP, no harm in taking precautions. It's recommended to have rabies shots before travelling to Thailand in any case, especially if working with animals.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/thailand

Although rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in Thailand, it is not a major risk to most travelers. CDC recommends this vaccine only for these groups:

• Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities in remote areas that put them at risk for animal bites (such as adventure travel and caving).
• People who will be working with or around animals (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and researchers).
• People who are taking long trips or moving to remote areas in Thailand
• Children, because they tend to play with animals, might not report bites, and are more likely to have animal bites on their head and neck.

Edited October 15, 2014 by MJP

[Gringoperdido]

It is possible you can get rabies from cat scratches. It is less likely that a dog bite, but it is still possible. How likely it is is very difficult to say and depends on many factors - including where the scratch was, how deep, if blood was drawn, the viral load of the animal, etc.

First thing to do is wash the wound well with soap and lots of water (simple but very important) and then see a doctor.

The chances of getting rabies from a cat scratch are likely remote, but I doubt anybody can give you a real estimate of the risk. But on the other hand it is a terrible disease that is almost always fatal. So the smart thing to do is either have the animal tested (requires the animal to be euthanized) or get vaccination (4 shot series) along with an antibody shot (called RIG which stands for Rabies Immune Globulin).

CDC recs consideration of rabies immunization for anybody who will stay in a place with high prevalence of dog rabies more than a month, which means Thailand (estimated 1 in 10 dogs in BKK carry rabies).

[ClutchClark]

It is possible you can get rabies from cat scratches. It is less likely that a dog bite, but it is still possible. How likely it is is very difficult to say and depends on many factors - including where the scratch was, how deep, if blood was drawn, the viral load of the animal, etc.

First thing to do is wash the wound well with soap and lots of water (simple but very important) and then see a doctor.

The chances of getting rabies from a cat scratch are likely remote, but I doubt anybody can give you a real estimate of the risk. But on the other hand it is a terrible disease that is almost always fatal. So the smart thing to do is either have the animal tested (requires the animal to be euthanized) or get vaccination (4 shot series) along with an antibody shot (called RIG which stands for Rabies Immune Globulin).

CDC recs consideration of rabies immunization for anybody who will stay in a place with high prevalence of dog rabies more than a month, which means Thailand (estimated 1 in 10 dogs in BKK carry rabies).

DangerousDude is right on except I am pretty certain Rabies is ALWAYS fatal to humans and it is a very frightening way to die. If you have a strong stomach then search some YouTube videos from India.

I would bite a bullet before I would go thru that.

Hasta

[Gringoperdido]

Not 100% fatal. There have been case reports of patients surviving.

Yes - I agree medical advice on internet is dangerous - never know the qualifications of the poster - and even if qualified to give advice, usually hard to give good advice based on limited information from OP.

In this case is time sensitive issue and pretty easy to know the right thing to do.

[ClutchClark]

OK, my wording is incorrect.

Untreated Rabies is 100% fatal.

There have been no known cases of Untreated Rabies that have resulted in recovery.

Now does that pass muster?

;-)

[Gringoperdido]

Yes - true. No documented cases of untreated rabies (in people) surviving.

Of the very few that do survive with treatment - most have had significant brain damage and very poor quality of life.

Wonder if rabies is where the idea of zombies came from. Infected people can act crazy and furious and infect others with bites?

[ClutchClark]

Yes - true. No documented cases of untreated rabies (in people) surviving.

Of the very few that do survive with treatment - most have had significant brain damage and very poor quality of life.

Wonder if rabies is where the idea of zombies came from. Infected people can act crazy and furious and infect others with bites?

Man you are a tough crowd ;-)

[tim armstrong]

SHORT ANSWER - no. While there maybe some risk, as others have said mainly bites are the issue. you are probably more likely to be in a minibus accident than get rabies in Thailand. But as they say UP TO YOU.

[rideride]

My information is that rabies is almost 100% lethal, even with treatment.

The other information is correct.

Wash the wound as quick and as good as you can, though that time frame has most likely closed already.

Then get to a doc and get postexposure vaccination. The Dosis depends on your vaccination history.
I think the time frame for this is about 48h.

Even if the chances are low, I would always do it as rabies is the last thing you wanna catch.
As mentioned it depends highly on the depth of the wound and I am not sure if cats can develop symptoms, but they surely can transmit it.

I got boosts 2 times here in Thailand.
One time when the office dog bit me a bit and the other time when I crashed with the motorcycle.
Both times it was very unlikely to be exposed to a single virus, but why take any risks?

The side effects I had from these shots were quite strong for almost 2 weeks, in that I felt week and could not exercise.
But I would do it again.

Edited October 16, 2014 by rideride

[inbangkok]

I got a rabies shot before moving to BKK.....better safe than sorry. No reason to take a risk when you can prevent it with such a simple injection.

Edited October 16, 2014 by inbangkok