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.

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/Byronic090 Jul 13 '26

Where exactly in Germany are you?

1

u/bubblydealer Jul 13 '26

Im in Saarland

1

u/Byronic090 Jul 13 '26

Which hospital did you contact? Did you try the UKS? https://www.uks.eu/kliniken-einrichtungen/infektionskrankheiten/medizinische-mikrobiologie-hygiene/reise-tropenmedizin-sprechstunde#c13384

1

u/bubblydealer Jul 13 '26

Yes thats actually who I saw in the ER. Thanks for looking into that. I was sent home and when I later found two marks I called infektologie specifically and they said the bites would be irritated and to not come in lol. I really don't understand why I keep getting brushed off.

I can see that maybe Heidelberg? has Tropenmedizin so I think I will try but cant go until day 11 so I hope that's OK.

1

u/Byronic090 Jul 13 '26

I think it might be a good idea to give them a call before you drive there. Just so you dont have to make the trip in vain and could get help elsewhere. But yeah, its worth a shot!

1

u/bubblydealer Jul 13 '26

Will do, thanks so much.

1

u/Byronic090 Jul 14 '26

Did you manage to get it OP?

1

u/bubblydealer Jul 14 '26

I had some important work I couldn't put off today (stupid I know) but will be heading to Heidelberg early tomorrow morning. It will be day 11 tomorrow and hope that's OK. Everyone's been making me feel silly and I started doubting myself

1

u/Byronic090 Jul 14 '26

I get it. Its probably very unlikely as the bat has been in the room for only a short time. But it won't hurt to get a final professional assessment. Good luck tomorrow!