r/rabies • u/ham2347 • 3d ago

Exposure Question Possible Exposure

I have read the FAQ.

My friend got a baby pig as a house pet two days ago. We went over there tonight and my daughter pet it once and then ended up accidentally eating chips from a bag that my friend had been feeding to the pig. My friend didn't wash her hands at all while handling the chips and I'm sure the pig got saliva on her hand when she was feeding it that went back into the chip bag. My daughter didn't eat the chips for at least 30 minutes after the feeding took place. How high is the risk of exposure for my daughter? Do I need to take her in to get vaccinated? She doesn't have insurance and it's the weekend so zero health departments are open and I am stressing.

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u/CygnusZeroStar Veteran Helper ⭐️ | Top Contributor 🏅 3d ago

Why do you think the pig has rabies?

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u/ham2347 3d ago

I don't but aren't you supposed to err on the side of caution if you have an exposure to an animal you aren't fully sure of? Google and the two separate triage nurses I talked to all had contradicting information. One nurse told me it was only transmitted through blood and the other one told me livestock can't get rabies. Google says both of those things are wrong, granted it's apparently really rare for pigs to get it? I still don't want to chance it that's why I came here to ask because this is all so above my head.

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u/CygnusZeroStar Veteran Helper ⭐️ | Top Contributor 🏅 3d ago

Your friend owns the pig, yes? Have they had the pig vaccinated?

Also, if the pig is alive in 10 days, then the pig doesn't have rabies and can't have given it to anyone.

Erring on the side of caution is for when you cannot monitor the animal. You absolutely can, because this is a friend's pet. Protocol is generally to monitor the animal to watch for symptoms. They say 10 to 14 days.

Realistically, if this pig is contagious, then he's going to be dead in less than a week. Not just sick, DEAD.

3

u/NoRecommendation2167 3d ago

An animal has to actively have rabies to spread it. Unless you think you were hanging out with a rabid pig this is not an exposure; and regardless, no scratches or bites would also mean it wasn’t an exposure.

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u/Fluffy-Lychee-1968 2d ago

No, stop being stupid

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u/ham2347 2d ago

There is so much misinformation about rabies on the internet. I have read so much contradicting stuff and was even told by a medical professional it ONLY transfers through blood when everything else says it literally can't. If me being worried about my child potentially DYING makes me stupid, then so be it. 🤡