Am I At Risk Of Getting Rabies?

Are you traveling or living in developing countries where rabies is more common, including countries in Africa and Southeast Asia?

Do you engage in activities that are likely to bring you into contact with wildlife (which may have rabies) such as exploring caves where bats live or camping?

Do you travel often or spend a lot of time in remote areas where it is difficult to find medical care?

Do you work in a laboratory with the rabies virus?

Do you have wounds on your head or neck?

If you have pets, have you failed to vaccinate them against rabies?

If you have pets, are they often outside and unattended?

Do you often see stray animals in your neighborhood?

Do you tend to approach wild or unfamiliar animals?

Can bats easily fly into your home?

Based on your answers you have a low risk of getting rabies. Rabies is a life-threatening viral infection. The rabies virus is spread by the saliva of infected animals, usually by a bite. Sometimes the virus can be transmitted when a rabid animal lick an open wound on your skin, or drool on you. Rabies is rare in the United States, unlike in developing countries such as Africa and Southeast Asia. In case you need to travel or stay for an extended period of time in one of the countries where rabies is common, consult a doctor about getting rabies vaccine before traveling.

Based on your answers you have a moderate risk of getting rabies. Rabies is a serious infection caused by the rabies virus, which affect the central nervous system. Rabies can spread to humans and pets if they are bitten by a rabid animal. In America, rabies reservoirs are mostly wild animals such as bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks. However, in many other countries, stray dogs still pose a major risk of rabies. Rabies can be prevented. If you have pets, be sure to vaccinate them. Stay away from wild and unfamiliar animals. However, if an animal bites you, consult a doctor immediately about whether you need postexposure prophylaxis.

Based on your answers you have a high risk of getting rabies. Rabies is a life-threatening but preventable disease caused by a virus. The rabies virus damages the nerves and brain, and eventually leads to death. Rabies can be prevented if you get proper medical care immediately after potential exposure. Very often, carriers of rabies are silver-haired bats. They transmit the virus through saliva by biting, licking your skin or drooling on you. So, if you wake up and find a bat in the room, be sure to see your doctor to get postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). Rabies virus infection must be stopped before symptoms appear.