The rabies virus is short-lived when exposed to open air—it can only survive in saliva and dies when the animal's saliva dries up. If you handle a pet who has been in a fight with a potentially rabid animal, take precautions such as wearing gloves to keep any still-fresh saliva from getting into an open wound.
Can I get rabies from saliva?
Rabies virus is transmitted through direct contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth) with saliva or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected animal. People usually get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal.
How long does rabies live in saliva?
Why can a healthy domestic dog, cat, or ferret be held for ten days? Studies have shown that dogs, cats, and ferrets only shed the rabies virus in their saliva for a short period of time (usually 4 to 5 days) before they develop symptoms.
Can rabies live in dry saliva?
The rabies virus is a very fragile virus. As soon as the saliva dries, the virus is no longer infectious.
Can I get rabies without being bitten?
Rabies is transmitted only when the virus is introduced into a bite wound, open cuts in skin, or onto mucous membranes such as the mouth or eyes.
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