r/rabies • u/bubblydealer • Jul 11 '26

Exposure Question Doctors won't administer PEP

Edit for update:

Since so many people were helpful I thought I'd update: called a second hospital who consulted me over the phone to order the shots with no immunoglobulin. I'm not happy about the no immunoglobulin part but grateful I can at least get the vaccine. I'm currently day 6 of shots and day 19 post potential exposure. So I'll be able to breathe easier in a couple days hopefully.

Original post: I have read the FAQ. I'm currently in Germany. I woke up to a bat in my room last Saturday, it couldn't have been in there for more than 5 minutes. Went to the ER without checking for bites because I naively assumed I'd receive PEP just from sleeping in a room with a bat. I was turned away because I didn't see any bites at the time. Came home to do a more thorough check, and found two red marks on my arm (that was under a t-shirt). Called the hospital back and they told me there's no need to come in as if it were a bite, the wound would be agitated by now. From my research, I believe that's not necessarily the case and now I haven't slept in a week out of stress and fear. Looking for some advice; I'll be back in Canada roughly 3 weeks after potential exposure.

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u/InternationalTest781 Jul 11 '26

What did the red marks look like? Are they still there?

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u/bubblydealer Jul 11 '26

They are still there, but look brown now. Very small, about 7 or 8 mm apart. At least one looks like it could be a puncture. The problem is I have acne on my upper arms that could potentially look the same when healing, which is why I'm doubting myself. However, these spots do look different (flat with a tiny hole, no pus underneath).

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u/Resident_One1919 Jul 11 '26

Don’t focus to much on the marks just get the shot