Given the circumstances of your cat scratch and inability to monitor the animal, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately for rabies vaccination.

Rabies is a dangerous infectious disease with a nearly 100% fatality rate once symptoms appear. The rabies virus is present in secretions, mainly saliva, and is transmitted from animals to humans through bites, scratches, or when saliva contacts open wounds or mucous membranes.

Currently, there is no specific treatment for rabies once the disease has developed. Early vaccination after exposure is a critical measure for prevention. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health, individuals bitten, scratched, or licked on an open wound by warm-blooded mammals such as dogs or cats should visit a medical facility for evaluation and vaccination by a doctor.

For wounds on the head, face, neck, fingertips, toes, or if the animal is suspected of having rabies and cannot be monitored, the patient may require additional rabies immunoglobulin.

The incubation period for rabies in humans typically ranges from 2 to 8 weeks, but it can be shorter. Therefore, people should not delay vaccination after being bitten, scratched, or licked on an open wound or mucous membrane by an animal suspected of having rabies. The earlier the vaccination, the higher the preventive efficacy.

Cats habitually lick their paws and fur, posing a risk of transmitting the rabies virus, present in their saliva, to humans through scratches that draw blood. Photo: Vecteezy

In your case, Phuong Anh, since you were scratched by a cat 7 days ago, resulting in bleeding, and the animal cannot be monitored, you should visit the nearest vaccination center or medical facility. A doctor will evaluate the wound and advise on an appropriate regimen.

During the vaccination process, individuals should continue to monitor the animal for at least 10 days to help assess the risk; however, this monitoring does not replace the need for vaccination.

Individuals who have never been vaccinated against rabies, have not completed the full vaccination regimen, are immunocompromised, or previously received older-generation rabies vaccines must complete the regimen as prescribed by a doctor, potentially with rabies immunoglobulin if necessary.

Individuals who frequently interact with warm-blooded mammals can receive pre-exposure prophylaxis, consisting of three doses administered on days 0, 7, and 21 or 28. If subsequently bitten, scratched, or if animal saliva contacts an open wound, or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth, those who have received pre-exposure prophylaxis typically only require two booster vaccine doses and do not need rabies immunoglobulin.

People must adhere to the vaccination schedule and should not arbitrarily skip doses or change appointments. If any issues arise, consult a doctor for guidance.

Dr. Doan Thi Khanh Cham

Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination System

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