Been bitten by a dog and left with a wound? Doctor says one activity can increase risk of being diagnosed with rabies: ‘It introduces rabies virus to your nervous system…’

Having a dog bite you can be traumatising. Apart from being extremely painful, dog bites can also cause rabies, which can be fatal after the symptoms start. Internal medicine expert Dr Priyam Bordoloi recently took to X to explain the one ‘solution’ you should refrain from when you have been bitten and have been left with a puncture.

Taking to X, the doctor asked what the biggest mistake would be after a stray dog causes a puncture wound, warning that it could raise the risk of rabies or a serious infection. The options included washing the wound with ordinary soap, closing it immediately with stitches, leaving it entirely uncovered, or allowing it to bleed on its own.

In another post, the doctor explained: The correct answer was B – do not use stitches. He went on to explain why: Closing a puncture wound results in a dark, oxygenless (anaerobic) setting. When you close it with glue or stitches, you are effectively ensnaring the rabies virus near your nerve endings, providing it a direct route to your central nervous system. Furthermore, this environment is ideal for the growth of serious bacterial infections such as Pasteurella.


The doctor explained that the correct response is to avoid closing the wound immediately. Instead, the bite should be thoroughly cleaned under running water using ordinary soap for at least 15 minutes with firm and continuous washing. Allowing a small amount of bleeding can also help flush out harmful germs from the injured area.

The reason this method is effective is that the rabies virus is surrounded by a delicate fatty outer layer. Regular soap can break down this protective coating, making the virus inactive before it has a chance to spread into the nervous system.

After cleaning the wound properly, it should be left uncovered rather than stitched closed right away. Immediate medical attention is essential so that a healthcare professional can assess the injury and begin post-exposure treatment, including anti-rabies vaccination and, when required, rabies immunoglobulin.