r/rabies•
riv94

Wondering about exposure

Exposure Question

I have read the FAQ.

I’m in Summit County, OH.

I trapped a raccoon that had been living in our barn and killing our chickens. I dragged the trap to the car without gloves, drove somewhere to move it (found out after the fact you’re not supposed to do that), took the cage out of the car with gloves, and let it go.

It definitely didn’t bite me or leave any kind of noticeable scratch, and I’m pretty sure it didn’t even touch me. It wasn’t exhibiting rabies symptoms.

The only thing I’m thinking about is a cut I have on my hand. I got the cut a day or two before, so I’m assuming it’s healed enough. I’m just wondering if the scrape may have been slightly open, and if the raccoon reached through part of the cage and touched it softly without me noticing, or sprayed saliva at me when it hissed (which it did a few times).

It seems far fetched, but I’m still thinking about that unknown contact with my cut. Any other disease I’d just forget about because the likelihood is so small, but since it’s rabies I can’t shake the feeling. I’d love to be told I’m crazy.

Posted Jun 11, 2026, 10:38 PM UTC

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