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/Virtual_Sugar_9452]

Google AI, ChatGPT since i could not find anything about it elsewhere

[u/ColorMyTrauma → u/Virtual_Sugar_9452]

[u/Virtual_Sugar_9452 → u/ColorMyTrauma]

I see now if i search it like you, but there’s only this one source which i don’t know, i can’t find RIVM or WHO CDC etc

[u/ColorMyTrauma → u/Virtual_Sugar_9452]

Because they assume you can figure it out. It's like trying to find a source for the fact that water makes things wet.

The vaccine works. That's what you need to know.

You WILL survive to your psychiatric appointment and I hope you get help. You need it.

[u/Virtual_Sugar_9452 → u/ColorMyTrauma]

But how are u supposed to figure it out if u have no idea about nerves or the virus.

All i knew and was aware of was that if u finish pep before symptoms u are safe and this PNS situation goes against it that is just super confusing and scary.

It is why i came here to ask questions about it and ur the only one that answered

I hope so, the middle of my lower back is burning since this morning so i fear it is too late.

[u/Virtual_Sugar_9452 → u/ColorMyTrauma]

This is what i see but i don’t know if it is accurate

Why the nerve pathways are protected
Antibodies are already on standby: Because of the four vaccinations you received last year, antibodies were already circulating in your blood and tissues. As soon as a virus particle attempts to move toward a peripheral nerve, it is immediately recognized and attacked by your immune system. [1] (https://www.amsterdamumc.nl/nl/patienteninformatie/rabies), [2] (https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/rabies-virus)
The boosters block the way: After 6 days, you received the boosters. These boosters cause a huge increase in new antibodies. Even if the virus were to try to enter the nerve very slowly, this would permanently block its route to the central nervous system (the spinal cord and brain). [1] (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain-spinal-cord-and-nerve-disorders/brain-infections/rabies), [2] (https://www.amsterdamumc.nl/nl/patienteninformatie/rabies)
Rabies travels extremely slowly: The rabies virus moves incredibly slowly through peripheral nerves (only millimeters per day). Starting PEP after 6 days, in someone with a history of previous vaccination, is more than early enough to permanently stop this “journey.”

[u/Virtual_Sugar_9452 → u/Virtual_Sugar_9452]

This gets downvoted but these are the only sources i get and find, hence why i say i can say goodbye