A member asked:

If a raccoon that has rabies scratches you can you get rabies?

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Unlikely: Rabies virus is transmitted in the saliva of the infected animal. It is unlikely that one would get rabies from a rabid raccoon scratch, unless the raccoon just licked his paws prior to scratching the person. Because rabies is a fatal disease, scratch victims should be evaluated by their doctors, and may end up getting vaccines just to be extra safe.

Answered 6/27/2020

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Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Rabies risk: Agree with Dr. Kwok. Per the CDC: "If an animal has rabies and bites you - or licks its claw before it scratches you - then you could get rabies, too." I agree with getting medical assessment. REF: https://www.cdc.gov/rabiesandkids/people.html#:~:text=Rabies%20is%20spread%20through%20saliva,petting%20an%20animal%20with%20rabies.

Answered 6/28/2020

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