Question
In around 2001, I was bitten by a small kitten that was less than three months old. The wound on my hand bled a little, but it wasn’t serious, and I didn’t know to get vaccinated at the time. Now that I’ve read the report, I suddenly remembered it. So far, I haven’t had any abnormalities. Can I say there’s nothing to worry about? Besides having children already, if I have the virus in my body, can it be passed down to my child across generations?
Answer
If you are bitten or scratched by a cat, dog, or other animal and a skin wound appears again, there is a possibility of transmitting rabies. However, the longest incubation period for rabies is 6 years, and the situation mentioned above is already below the longest incubation period. This proves that there has been no recurrence of rabies virus infection, and there will be no further spread of the infection. There is no need to worry.