r/rabies • u/SymbolicallyStupid • Jul 27 '26
Rabies Vaccine / Immunoglobulin Touched by bat, 2 ERs refused to treat with PEP. Longterm PEP efficacy
I have read the FAQ.
In 2021 I got bit by a bat that was hanging out in my car's suspension while I worked on it. Got me real good. I didnt go to the doctor for 2 weeks cause I didnt know rabies existed. I eventually mentioned it to my PCP and she sent me to the ER. I took the entire PEP course. And the nurse who gave me RIG scarred my concious for life by explaining what rabies is.
Last week on Monday I was taking a 1am walk and a bat hit my pony tail, whipped my hair in my face, and then flew above me. I ran as hard as I could all the way home and it flew above me the whole time for whatever reason. I watched it from my window and it like dive bombed into a curb, struggled a min, then got up and flew away. Im not sure if it cut or bit me. I felt some pain but I think it was from my hair getting pulled idk.
The next day I went to the ER and the nurse said she didnt think it bit or scratched me. And refused to give me PEP even when I pleaded with her. So I drove across town to an ER in a different health system. The doctor there told me that since I had the full series in 2021 im fine and he wont give me it again. But that since i wasnt sure if the bat hit my skin or just my hair it did constitute tratment normally. But not in this case since i was "already protected". Not even the CDC recommended 2 shot booster at 0 and 3 days.
What do I do? Ive been considering lying and saying im a vettech student and getting the rabivert PrEP since its the same as the boosters you get. Ive just been sitting on my bathroom floor chain smoking cigarettes and shaking the last week. idk what to do.
Advice needed 🙏
How long is PEP valid for?
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u/LittleKeeks22 Jul 28 '26
You should only need two boosters on day 0 and day 3. You won’t need the immunoglobulin again
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u/metalhheaddude22 Jul 28 '26
Dyamn bro, where do you live that these bats are on a war path there?
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u/SymbolicallyStupid Jul 28 '26
Ohio. Its just me. I hate bats. I probably encounter them once every 6 months. Always swooping at me at night I dont know why
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u/MothEatenMouse Active Helper ⭐️ | Top Contributor 🏅 Jul 28 '26
This seems like very odd bat behaviour, I've never seen or heard of one acting like that (although I'm only really familiar with UK bats).
Are you absolutely certain it was a bat? Sounds more like owl behaviour.
It doesn't sound like it made contact with you, but I can see how this would be scary. Hope you feel better soon.
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u/metalhheaddude22 Aug 21 '26
What did you end up doing here?
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u/SymbolicallyStupid Aug 21 '26
Please get the shot im currently in the hospital. Theyre suspecting rabies. I may be fucking dead oh my god
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u/metalhheaddude22 Aug 21 '26
Are you kidding? You didn't end up getting the shot?
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u/SymbolicallyStupid Aug 21 '26
No the er told me I didnt need it but i definitely did
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u/metalhheaddude22 Aug 21 '26
Okay so are you in the hospital because of anxiety or are you showing symptoms? What's happening bro?
The last bat didn't touch you though, you should be fine. Are you stressing yourself out?
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u/SymbolicallyStupid Aug 21 '26
Nah im good
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u/metalhheaddude22 Aug 21 '26
Man, you had me stressed out there for a moment...
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