I was scratched by a stray cat. Am I at risk for rabies or infection?

Question

I live in a apartment and there's so many stray cats living in the complex. The neighbors and I feed them. And one of them scratched me. Can I get tabbies from a scratch ?

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM · Accepted Answer

No you cannot get rabies from a scratch unless 1) the cat had rabies and 2) the cat's saliva entered the scratch wound. However potentially you could get infected with a disease called cat scratch fever or just get a general wound infection. I would have the scratch examined by your health provider, especially if it looks infected or red. Should you develop a fever or get ill, you need to see your doctor as well.

I was scratched by a stray cat. Am I at risk for rabies or infection?

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