Can I Get Rabies From a Cat Scratch?
Hello Doctor,
I'm 20 years old and I'm concerned whether my current symptoms could be related to rabies. Approximately two months ago, I was scratched by our unvaccinated cat. Initially, I didn't pay much attention to it because the scratch was minor. Is it still safe and advisable to get the rabies vaccine at this point, given that the incident occurred two months ago?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
I recommend getting the rabies vaccine, even though it's been two months since the cat scratch. The reason is that rabies can have a long incubation period, sometimes up to a year. This vaccine stimulates your immune system to fight the virus, and getting it now can still be beneficial in case you were exposed. Rabies is a serious and often fatal disease, so it's best to take precautions as soon as possible to protect your health.
Thanks
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