Patients who do not develop the disease for 3 months after being scratched by a cat are more likely to be safe. However, there is no guarantee of safety, as there are some patients with incubation periods of up to 10 years or more. After being scratched by a cat, a clinical diagnosis can be made if the patient shows typical symptoms, such as fear of water, wind, throat spasms, or fear of light, sound, excessive sweating, salivation and numbness and abnormal sensation at the bite site, which may lead to death within 6 days after the onset of the disease. Patients are advised to rinse the wound thoroughly with soapy water or 0.1% benzalkonium bromide for at least half an hour after being scratched by a cat, then rub the wound with 2% iodophor or 75% alcohol and try to administer rabies vaccine within 24 hours. In addition, since the length of rabies incubation period is related to age, wound site, wound depth, the number and virulence of the invading virus, etc., it is recommended that patients be vaccinated promptly after being scratched by a cat and not to take any chances.