What should you know about a rabies bite?

Rabies can enter through saliva from an infected animal when a bite, scratch, or lick contacts broken skin or the eyes, mouth, or nose. A mark that barely bleeds can still need assessment. Do not wait for the animal to become ill before seeking advice; an apparently healthy animal may still require observation by local authorities.

Wash and flush the wound with soap and plenty of running water as soon as possible. Avoid tightly covering it, and do not apply irritants or attempt to close it yourself. If safe, note the animal’s appearance, location, behaviour, and direction of travel, but do not catch or handle it. Contact urgent medical services promptly to discuss rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, tetanus protection, and wound care.

Seek urgent care immediately after any bite or scratch from a mammal that may carry rabies, or after saliva reaches broken skin or a mucous membrane. Go without delay for injuries to the face, head, neck, hands, or genitals, multiple wounds, heavy bleeding, or an exposure involving a child. Emergency help is needed for uncontrolled bleeding, severe tissue damage, trouble breathing, or faintness.

Ask whether your exposure needs rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, whether the wound needs closure or antibiotics, and whether tetanus protection is up to date. Tell the clinician when and where contact occurred, whether saliva was involved, and whether you have received rabies vaccine before.