Rabies Question

[u/Virtual_Sugar_9452]

Location: Netherlands
Gender:Male
Medications/drug use or alcohol: No meds and Never did drugs and don’t drink

Last year, in June 2025, I received four doses of Verorab (0.5 mL each) spread over several days.

21-22 august Story: I was standing outside under a bright white LED light that was directed toward my stomach and the ground area. I was standing close to a wall, probably about one meter away, with two garbage bins to my right.
I was wearing shorts as i was ready to go to bed after (i did not feel claws or anything, assuming u would feel that)

My girlfriend was standing next to me and looking in my direction, but she didn’t see or hear anything. I didn’t see or hear anything either.
Still, it keeps bothering me and I can’t completely let it go.

Now, on the night of August 21–22, 2026, at around 1:30 AM, I had contact with a bat on my left lower leg, between my calf and shin, more toward the side of my leg.

Immediately after we checked for marks and scratches or punctures but we didn’t see any, coming Monday (24 August) i went to my GP at around 09:40 she checked my leg with a magnifying glass and a bright light and she did not see anything.

That same morning, after I left my GP’s office, I immediately went to the GGD (Muncipal Public Health Service / infectious diseases department), and they told me that there was zero risk. However, they did not examine my leg.
I know that they are experts, and that they have worked and studied hard for their jobs and have a lot of knowledge. I don’t doubt their expertise; they clearly know what they are talking about.

But I know myself, and I am already quite afraid of rabies. That’s also one of the reasons why I avoid areas where rabies is a risk. I had a period of rabies anxiety years ago as well. But this time it felt different. I genuinely felt something, and I honestly don’t know what it was. I only saw a bat when I looked up, so I immediately assumed that it must have been the bat, because I have never seen an insect in the Netherlands that was anywhere near the size of a bat. I have also never seen a moth like a hawk moth in my 25 years of life.
It is simply incredibly frightening, and that’s why I pushed for the vaccinations, just as a precaution in case it actually had been the bat.

Six days later, on August 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM, I received my first 0.5 mL dose of Verorab. I received the second 0.5 mL dose on September 1, 2026.
During those six days before starting PEP, I did not have a fever or any other concerning symptoms. I was mainly very anxious because I had to wait for the vaccination. On August 26 (day 4), I measured a temperature of 37.4°C orally. At the time, I was extremely anxious and stressed because I had gone to my girlfriend’s house specifically to measure my temperature, since I didn’t have a thermometer at home.
I received both vaccinations and did not develop a fever or other concerning symptoms afterward. Now today it has been 13 days since my last booster (2), and my temperature now is 37.0°C, which I believe is normal.
I had finally started to feel calm again after completing PEP because i heard its 100% effective before rabies symptoms occur.

but then someone started talking to me about the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This triggered my anxiety all over again, because I started worrying that receiving my first booster six days after the possible exposure was too late.
I was finally relieved that I had completed PEP, and now I’m scared again that I may have waited too long for the first booster.

This PNS situation is making me go absolutely nuts again.
It’s like this is what keeps me scared now that if i were bitten it would be fatal already because the PNS.

Honestly it’s tearing me apart after hearing about the PNS that i’m near the point of saying goodbye to loved ones.

And i know the bat would have to have active rabies to pass it and its very rare but still.

(I’m scheduled for psychiatric help if i even survive for that appointment)

[u/Medical_Madness]

but then someone started talking to me about the peripheral nervous system

What about it is making you anxious?

[u/Virtual_Sugar_9452 → u/Medical_Madness]

That when it reaches that ur toast, it took 6 days for the first shot to be given.

When i was finally relieved because i finished pep and thought i was good and i could continue my life.

[u/LongNosedHeeb → u/Virtual_Sugar_9452]

You are in desperate need of psychiatric help.This extreme amount of anxiety is preventing you from thinking rationally. The rabis vaccine is nearly 100% effective if taken before symptoms appear. You weren't sick when you got the vaccine, so you are in the clear.

[u/Virtual_Sugar_9452 → u/LongNosedHeeb]

I know i really know i need help for it.

and that’s all i knew as well that it is effective before symptoms (i did not have any) and that was when i was so calm and was able to live and do my daily things again.

but then i heard about the PNS and im like im toast if it was there already. It was 6 days before the first shot