Rabies from cat scratches?

I have a friend that was recently scratched by a feral cat, and neither of us thought much of it. It's been 5 days or so since she's been scratched, and I'm concerned about a possibility of rabies. I check up with my friend, who is also 16 like me, regularly about it. She seems too afraid to say anything to her parents.

I know that there has been barely any history of any rabies in my area, and that infections from scratches are rare, but my mom has a co-worker that was scratched by her own cat and had to get treated.. (funny how her co-worker's name is "Kitty" lol)

Anyway, if she can get treatment, how much can she expect it to cost her, and what tests and such will be done? And since I live in the same neighborhood, should I get "pre-treated"?

Rabies is found in the saliva of infected animals, so I think the risk of transmission through scratches is quite low.

here's a good FAQ: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/communicab...ets/Rabies.htm

Thanks for the info, I'll let my friend know that all is well and need not worry

Keep the scratch area clean of dirt or germs that can get into it.

The worst thing I would worry about is a nasty infection, but if its been almost a week and she's keeping it clean I wouldn't worry about that. I don't think there has ever been a case of getting rabies from a cat scratch or even a stray cat at all (not that you shouldn't be careful).

depending on how bad the scratch is I would worry more about staff infection. That had happened to my bro last year.

What you Friend,could get,is what,they call Cat Scratch Fever,where her hand would turn reddish,I got that once,from a Meezer,that I was boarding.But you would know,it right away,as the swelling,starts immmediatley,so I think,that your Friend,is safehttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...Follies080.jpg