Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with rabies

When would they quarantine?

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:47:01 -0800

If I was bit by a rabid animal, how long would it take until I was a risk to other humans? I was bit by a feral cat on Thursday...I went to the ER and they started the rabies PEP treatment. So far I've only had the immunoglobulin shot.

Would contact with my saliva/blood, this soon after exposure, carry any chance whatsoever of transmitting the virus? Is the answer the same whether or not I had that first shot?

This is probably a stupid question - but I just need to be sure.

Babies, not Rabies.

ashaw — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:28:20 -0800

Urgent Rabies Vaccination: I'm worrying (nay, freaking out) about whether I should get a rabies vaccination. The course of the rabies vaccination is 21 days. I made the monumental error of youtubing rabies, and now I am freaking out. I should be able to get it tomorrow locally for a costly fee (£100+), but that's IF i'm able to get an appointment and first shot tomorrow....with the final shot taken hours before I depart. I will be be going to Lima, Peru and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Cuzco. In addition I will be in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Iguassu Falls, and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

I've read the past mefi question on this, but would still like more personalised answers.

Is this shot really necessary for the things I will be doing (trekking etc)?

Is the post-exposure vaccination available at all the locations I will be at?

Is the vaccination really worth it? I understand that regardless, in case of exposure the vaccination will only buy me some more time and is not full proof...

Dogs are one thing, but how do you protect from bats in the night? I heard there's absolutely no marks on your body after being bitten. Am I screwd?

Prior to the inca trail, I will be in Lima for 3 weeks, should I/can I/how can I get my vaccination done there (I heard in some places you get it in your stomach!)?

Could this dog be Cujo?

soonertbone — Sun, 18 May 2008 20:50:34 -0800

I was sort of bitten by a dog tonight. I'm morbidly afraid of shots. How necessary is it that I see a doctor? As I went into a grocery store tonight in the Financial District of New York, I noticed two dogs tethered outside. Being the foolish animal-lover I am, I bent over and offered my hand for a sniff. One of the dogs snapped at me and got my hand.

I have four teeth marks. One of them is barely noticeable. The other three are not deep. It's not like they're flowing blood or anything. There was no blood at all at first, and then after a few minutes there were little dots of blood at each of the other three points on the hand. But like I said, it's not like it was a lot of blood or anything. Really, I'm not even sure if it was blood, given the fact it didn't go anywhere. It was definitely an extremely shallow bite and it's not like it requires stitches or anything.

In a move that was stupider than reaching for the dog, I didn't try to find the owner in the store. I think I felt guilty or something. Anyway, the dog was gone by the time I left the store.

Last thing to consider is that I'm a 24-year old, extraordinarily healthy male, but I have a considerable fear of shots. I really really really want to avoid dealing with this if I can get away with it.

I know there are few of you who can give medical advice. But can anyone give advice on how likely it is, given those circumstances, that I might have been infected? Does anybody have experience getting the vaccine? I've heard it's extremely painful. Is that true? If I see a doctor, are they going to force me to get the shots?

Can whales get rabies?

respond — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:17:28 -0800

Can whales get rabies? Are there any documented cases of whales catching rabies? This seems like a good premise for a bad horror movie.

You were bitten by a what?!

misha — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:05:56 -0800

If a teenager is bitten by an armadillo and the skin is broken, shouldn't the animal be trapped to make sure it isn't rabid, or the teen be innoculated? Recently, during a game of Manhunt in a local park that had just re-opened to the public after construction of a picnic area, a soccer player frightened an armadillo, which then bit him on the calf. Another armadillo also reportedly changed direction and started rolling straight toward a player who disturbed it in a similar manner, evidently with the intention of attacking the intruder.

Since I haven't used up my question this week: What course of action should have been taken after the bite, given the behavior of the animal? Isn't aggressive behavior out of character for armadilloes, even scared ones? Also, have there been documemented cases of rabid armadillos?

What the hell did my cat puke up?

tristeza — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:21:38 -0800

Does this sound familiar: cat vomiting pinkish-red fluid after receiving rabies, and/or FVCVP vaccines? (Vet office is aware, don't panic). My poor kitty (El Diablo de la Tierra del Fuego, or Diablo, but most often "D") went to the vet yesterday for the first time for a checkup and vaccines since he was a baby 3 years ago, so, the second time for these shots. They gave him rabies and VCRVP vaccines, and his mood and energy seem fine. He's strictly indoor, always has been.

I came home from work today to about 4 piles of vomit (regular regurgitated food, but more than usual), and something weird: a splash on my tile floor of this pinkish red, slightly slimy, clear fluid, which had no discernable smell.

My immediate thought was bloody bile of some kind (but the lack of smell was odd).

I called the vet and described everything, as I was told to do if he puked a bunch today, and the vet tech told me not to worry about it, watch him carefully, and if it kept happening to call back.

For the record, she had never heard of anything like I described (the red-pink viscous fluid).

Does this sound familiar to anyone at all? I've googled and found nothing of interest.

(PS - I scooped up a bit of it into a baggie in case they want to test it if he gets worse, god help me.)

Am I going to get rabies?

catfood — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 07:55:38 -0800

I'm going on vacation in two weeks...the vacation was planned sort of on a whim about a month ago, and one thing I hadn't considered was vaccines. Now, being a worrywart and knowing I have hypochondriac potential, I am freaking out wondering if one of the planned activities is too risky. Please help me decide whether I should cancel this activity, or whether I am being insane. We are going on a Western Caribbean cruise and one of the stops is Belize, where we have planned to go on this jungle walk + cave tubing excursion. Last week, I read something that reminded me to check about any required or recommended vaccines.

After reading the CDC's Travel page for Belize, it seems to recommend both anti-malaria stuff as well as a rabies vaccine if there is a risk of exposure.

I know from reading about the excursion that there will be a place that we go through that has bats. And I know bats are major rabies carrier. So is potentially being near sleeping bats in a cave during the daytime and a walk through the jungle a significant risk?

I know I don't have time for any sort of vaccinations, but I'm panicking so much that I'm considering cancelling this activity and hiding out on the cruise ship with a daquiri under some mosquito netting.

I'm a lot more concerned about rabies, because I fully plan on dousing myself with mosquito repellant.

Please let me know if you think my worries are unfounded, or if you think it is better to be safe than sorry and not go into the jungle or caves.

Kittens gone grey.

stonerose — Wed, 02 Jun 2004 20:04:16 -0800

We have two Tonkinese cats, ages 2 and 1.5, both with dark fur on their faces. About a month ago, we took them in for their rabies booster shots. Shortly thereafter, one developed a bad cold, which cleared up. Now, within the space of a few days, their dark "masks" have started to turn salt-and-peppery. Otherwise, they seem perky and normal. They have had a minor change in diet, and have had some time in the spring sun after a long winter inside. Any ideas?