How can someone overcome his fear of rabies?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have read about rabies, and fear has stuck to my mind. It was with my 3-year-old son, who said that a street dog passing nearby had sniffed his leg. I examined his leg for any wounds and found tiny wounds. Then I observed that dog for ten days, and the dog was alive, so my fear was reduced. Since then, when I took my son outside, I often feared that some stray dog might come and sniff or lick his wound, and while sniffing, the saliva of the dog might come in contact with his wound, and I could not observe the dog. This fear increases when I drive a bike with my son, and I might not monitor any dog properly as I might be driving. For this, I often ask my wife to observe the dogs while on the bike so that I can drive peacefully. Taking my son on my bike without my wife has become challenging as I have lost my confidence that I can observe if any dog sniffs or licks my son. Please help me how to get rid of this. I am much worried.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Do some breathing exercises to relax, which will help you break the chain of your thoughts, and start exercising when experiencing anxious thoughts. Secondly, make some positive suggestions that are based on health instead of illness. So when experiencing anxious thoughts, you can practice those positive suggestions followed by the breathing exercise. Furthermore, you must also take some sessions with a therapist, which will help you even more effectively. You can also have a video consultation with me whenever you want.

I hope this information will help.

Thanks.

Answer 2

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

No, it is impossible in any case that a dog comes and licks your son's wound on a bike, and you cannot observe it.

Thanks.