Most people believe that only an aggressive dog can give you rabies, and that a calm or friendly one is safe. It’s a myth, and it’s one of the most dangerous. In this blog, we bust that myth along with several others around rabies. While we do, we’ll also walk through what to do after an exposure, and how vaccination and community effort keep the disease in check.
But first, let’s understand what rabies is and how it affects us.
Rabies is a viral disease which damages the central nervous system of mammals. It is most commonly transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal via a bite, though a scratch or a lick over an open wound can also spread it. And it’s not just dogs; you can catch the virus from a cow, a cat or a monkey just as easily as from a dog. Once the virus reaches the brain, signs like excessive drooling and paralysis set in.
India accounts for nearly 36% of global rabies deaths caused by dog bites. The saddest thing about rabies is that once symptoms appear it is 100% fatal . But it is 100% preventable with prompt medical care and a vaccination after exposure . “Too many people exposed to rabies waste precious time believing myths instead of seeking professional care.
Common Rabies Myths and Facts
Myth 1: Only aggressive dogs have rabies
Fact: In reality, rabies shows up in two forms: the furious form, in which the animal becomes restless and aggressive, and the paralytic form, in which the animal becomes weak and docile. One cannot know for sure whether a dog is infected, so we assume the worst and get post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment.
Myth 2: A scratch or a lick is nothing to worry about
Fact: It mainly depends on where the saliva of the animal comes in contact with our skin. Generally, a lick on healthy, unbroken skin is safe. However, a lick on a cut, a graze, or the eyes or nose, and even a scratch, should be treated as exposure.
Myth 3: Haldi, chilli or oil on the wound will prevent infection
Fact: Haldi, chili or oil will not kill the virus. Instead of that, wash the wound with soap and water for a few minutes, and run to a doctor. Household remedies do not cure rabies and should not be used instead of proper first aid.
Myth 4: The vaccine means 14 injections in the stomach
Fact: The days of 14 injections in the stomach are long gone. Modern vaccines go into the arm or thigh, administered on days 0, 3, 7 and 14 through intramuscular injections.
Myth 5: Only dogs spread rabies
Fact: Dogs cause around 99% of cases in humans, and that’s why they get all the spotlight. But cats, monkeys, cows, jackals and bats can all transmit it.
What to Do After an Exposure
Prompt action in the first hours decides the outcome. The steps below apply to any bite, scratch or lick over broken skin or mucous membrane from a dog, cat, monkey, cow or any other mammal.
Step 1: Wash the wound immediately.
Rinse under running water with soap for at least 15 minutes. This physically flushes out virus-laden saliva and is the most effective first-aid measure available. For exposure to the eyes, nose or mouth, rinse thoroughly with plain water.
Step 2: Apply an antiseptic.
After washing, use povidone-iodine or another antiseptic. Do not apply haldi, chilli, oil or lime.
Step 3: Leave the wound open.
Do not bandage it tightly or have it stitched. Suturing should be avoided. If closure is unavoidable, the doctor will decide how.
Step 4: Go to a hospital the same day.
A doctor will grade the exposure and start post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Deep or bleeding wounds need rabies immunoglobulin as well, given together with the vaccine immediately. The vaccine course must be completed exactly as prescribed, so follow the schedule your doctor gives you.
Step 5: Report the animal’s details.
Record the species, its behaviour, vaccination status if known, and its location. This helps the doctor and local veterinary authorities.
Step 6: Do not wait for symptoms.
Rabies can stay silent for weeks or months, and treatment cannot reverse the disease once symptoms start. A late visit is still worth making, as treatment is advised even when the person reports late.
The Role of the Community
Containment of rabies is a shared responsibility. Mass vaccination of stray and pet dogs is the most effective intervention. Once a majority of the dog population is covered, both transmission rates and the potential risk to humans fall. WHO guidance puts this threshold at roughly 70% coverage. Reaching it requires registration of pet dogs, regular vaccination drives for strays, and sterilisation programmes, since a steady supply of unvaccinated puppies keeps eroding population immunity.
Education carries equal weight. Misinformation is a common cause of delayed treatment, and that delay is what makes a preventable disease fatal. Awareness programmes in schools, villages and resident associations can reinforce three key practices: wash the wound immediately, seek post-exposure treatment the same day, and keep pets vaccinated.
Conclusion
Rabies is unusual among fatal diseases. The cause is known, the main source is controllable, and the means of prevention already exist. What separates a survivor from a fatality is not the quality of medicine; it is the timing, and timing depends on what a person believes at the moment of exposure.
That makes accurate information a form of prevention in its own right, and the responsibility for supplying it sits with those who understand the disease. Veterinarians are at the front of this: they vaccinate animals, recognise suspect cases and correct owners’ assumptions. A disease that has been understood for over a century should not still be claiming lives because of a delay that knowledge could have removed.
