Dear 'netters:  Just got a call from an LC colleague, who was asked about
a mother of a 14 month old breastfeeding child.  The mother was scratched
by a stray cat (I don't know whether or not it was provoked).  The cat is
being held for observation.  The mother is being told from every quarter
that it's time to wean, and she's nervous because she's been told it is a
viral infection and that viruses can be transmitted through breastmilk.
My reading of the AAP Red Book on Infectious Diseases cites only known
human cases of rabies from bite or scratch by an infected animal or by
contamination of a scratch or open mucous membrane with saliva of an
infected animal.  This exposure appears low risk, and seems to be
unlikely as a risk to the baby.  Does anybody have any data or other
information which might help this woman decide?  TIA, Alicia.
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