What happens if a rabies infected dog bites you on the face?

Posted by sanoop @sanoop, May 28, 2021

What happens if a dog bytes to Human face/ Eye ( If it is rabies infected)
As face is so close to brain , So How many days it may take to reach the brain? Is there a chance to reach within few hours?

Can we prevent infection 100% if we took immuno globin and vaccines within 4 hours post byte?
Do we need to take any other precautions or any preventative measure or checkups
( if happened to a men, 68 Years old)

Thanks

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Infectious Diseases Support Group.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 28, 2021

Any dog bite on the face that breaks the skin should immediately be seen in an emergency room

Amanda Roe | @amandajro | May 28, 2021

Hello @sanoop and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I agree with @sueinmn. Please go to the emergency room.

mpeters | @mpeters | May 29, 2021

I’m sure in ER they asked you if the dog had tags and if you reported this to Animal Control. I went through having a dog bite two times, separated by four years. It’s distressing but luckily the shots are not painful. Please let us know how you are doing.

sanoop | @sanoop | May 29, 2021

In reply to @sueinmn "Any dog bite on the face that breaks the skin should immediately be seen in an..." + (show)

Thanks for your comments, Yes, he got vaccinations and Medicine within four hours. I hope the rabies vaccine is 100% efficient even if the injury is on face. I am I right?

mpeters | @mpeters | May 30, 2021

I don’t know, that would be a good question for your care provider. Did you also get a tetanus shot? Are you getting the series of four shots? I hope you are doing well.

Please sign in or register to post a reply.