Answer:
Rabies is an acute infectious disease transmitted from warm-blooded mammals to humans through bodily fluids. The primary transmission route is saliva, but it can also spread through tears and cerebrospinal fluid. The rabies virus infects through bites, scratches, or licks on open wounds, eyes, or mouth mucous membranes.
Theoretically, all warm-blooded mammals, including humans, are at risk of contracting and spreading rabies. However, global medical literature has not recorded any cases of human-to-human rabies transmission through bites, though it has occurred in organ transplant cases.
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A human bite. Illustration: Vecteezy |
A human bite. Illustration: Vecteezy
In your case, your girlfriend is currently healthy and shows no symptoms of rabies. Therefore, her saliva does not contain the rabies virus, making transmission of the disease to you through the bite highly unlikely.
Nevertheless, you should not be complacent about your wound. Human bites can carry various bacteria, posing a higher risk of infection compared to many other types of wounds.
If the wound is deep, wide, or shows signs of infection (swelling, redness, pus, severe pain), seek immediate medical attention. A doctor may recommend a tetanus shot, antibiotics, or blood-borne disease screening.
Regarding your girlfriend, she was bitten by a dog five days ago. Even if the dog appears normal, you should not be complacent. You can take your girlfriend to the nearest vaccination center for a doctor to assess the wound and prescribe preventive vaccination.
The rabies vaccination protocol varies based on vaccination history. If bitten or scratched by a dog or cat and never vaccinated, five intramuscular doses are required on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28, or eight intradermal doses on days 0, 3, 7, and 28. Additional serum may be administered as prescribed by a doctor.
Furthermore, individuals at high risk of rabies, such as those with frequent exposure to dogs and cats, can proactively prevent the disease. The pre-exposure vaccination schedule consists of three doses on days 0, 7, and 21 or 28. If subsequently bitten or scratched by a warm-blooded mammal, only two additional doses are needed, and serum is not required, even for severe wounds.
During vaccination, strict adherence to the schedule is crucial. If any issues arise requiring a change in the vaccination schedule, consult a doctor for professional advice to ensure health safety. Once rabies symptoms manifest, the disease is nearly 100% fatal in both humans and animals.
Doctor Huynh Tran An Khuong
Medical Specialist, VNVC Vaccination System
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