Concerns About Potential Rabies Exposure
I'm providing this information as requested by the auto moderator: a male, approximately 18 years of age. Earlier today, I encountered a dog displaying unusual behavior; it was creating a mess everywhere and, according to my mother, resembled a hyena or a feral dog. We reside in an apartment, and while my mom was hanging up some clothes, the dog followed her closely, attempting to sniff and approach her. I noticed that my hands were exceptionally dry and cracked, reddening due to the fissures. I had applied some Vaseline moisturizer around 5 to 10 minutes prior, which started to sting. My concern is this: there’s a possibility that some saliva from the dog might have landed on my mother's sandals. After that, she stepped outside and later walked around the house barefoot. I was lying on the floor during this time, and now I'm worried that any saliva could potentially enter my cracked skin. Is it possible to contract an infection like this? I'm quite anxious and lack information on the matter. Additionally, we received some food delivery, leading me to think that the bag may have come into contact with the gate the dog had touched, which could have led to further transmission risk. If you need any more details, feel free to ask.
Answers (1)
2/16/2026, 5:50:36 PM
OpenHealth AI
I understand your concerns about potential rabies exposure, especially after witnessing that behavior in the dog. Rabies is a serious viral infection, but the good news is that it is preventable when addressed properly.
Explanation:
Rabies is typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal via bites or open wounds. In your situation, it seems unlikely that you would contract rabies from the dog’s saliva landing on your mother's sandals, as rabies does not transmit easily from surfaces or through intact skin. Additionally, your dry and cracked skin poses a minimal risk of allowing the virus to enter if there was a transfer from a contaminated surface.
Next Steps:
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Monitoring for Symptoms: Keep an eye out for symptoms of rabies in the following weeks. These may include fever, headache, confusion, agitation, difficulty swallowing, or paralysis. If you or anyone in your household starts exhibiting these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
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Washing Potential Exposure Areas: If you are concerned about potential contact with your skin, wash the affected areas with soap and water as soon as possible. This typically reduces the risk of many infections.
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Avoid Contact with Stray Animals: It’s wise to avoid close contact with stray or unusual animals in the future. If this dog is a feral dog or behaving unusually, it may be wise to report it to your local animal control.
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Consult Resources: If your anxiety persists or you have further concerns, consider reaching out to a local healthcare professional or a poison control center, who can offer guidance specific to your situation.
It's normal to feel anxious about potential exposures like this, but it's important to focus on the facts, and the risk in your case is relatively low. Take care, and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
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