Q. Is it necessary to clean the inner part of my nail to prevent rabies after touching a dog's saliva?

Hi doctor,

A street dog's saliva fell on my leg. I unknowingly touched my leg, and after some time, I washed my hands with normal water. But I did not wash the inner part of my nails.

(1) Can rabies virus survive in the inner part of my nail (because inner part of nail may not be open to the air or environment) and can this infect my three year old nephew if my hand or nail touches his eye or inner part of his nose or any of his wound repeatedly while playing with him?

(2) Is it necessary to wash the inner part of my nail to prevent rabies infection, or is it not necessary?

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Do you mean to say that infection to my nephew is not possible in this way? If any rabies virus is left in the inner part of the nail, will it live there and infect the way described?

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I was afraid because I thought the inner part of the nail was not exposed to the environment, and there might be some rabies virus left. That was the reason for my worry, an expert like you could have only solved it.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I am asking another question for future incidents (if any). Is there any chance that the rabies virus will remain alive in the inner part of the nail (if not washed) and repeatedly infect when it comes in contact with the eye or nostrils or any wound of a three-year-old child? If it is not possible, then I will not be worried in the future about such events too.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Are you saying about an open wound on my hand or on my baby? Do you mean that if the saliva in the inner part of the nail touches a wound on the baby, it is worrisome?

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Does saliva in the inner part of the nail or nail to the baby's wound not a matter of concern? Is there any issue if it is unknowingly done more than once? I mean unknowingly from the inner part of the nail and then to the baby's wound more than once.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Now so many of my wrong concepts are cleared with your counseling. These conversations clearly show that you are a good person and doctor. I am thankful to you.