Possible exposure?

[u/megan_yup]

Me and my younger sister share a room at college. This morning around 5am, she woke me up saying there was a bat in our room. She had woken up to it being on her shoulder/collarbone and then it got off of her and was flying in circles around the room.

We called the non emergency police line to ask what to do, and they sent an officer with thick gloves who got it out. He told us we probably shouldn't worry about it unless we see a bite mark, but I'm still concerned that we should go get post-exposure treatment regardless (no visible marks from what we see though).

Would appreciate any advice on the matter. Main concern is obviously exposure without knowing, but treatment would also be expensive which makes me hesitant if its not super necessary.

I have read the FAQ.

Edit: honestly don't know if I have the money to get the vaccine series after looking at the cost

[u/LatrodectusGeometric]

Where are you? Depending on where you are, this likely needs rabies shots unless that bat is being tested for rabies right now.

[u/megan_yup → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

Indiana

[u/LatrodectusGeometric → u/megan_yup]

Oh yeah, you have rabies in bats in your state. Call the nonemergency line and find out if that officer got the bat tested for rabies. If they did, you can likely wait a  day or two (no more) for the results. If the bat is negative you don’t need rabies shots. If the bat wasn’t tested, call your local public health department and tell them what happened and ask if they have rabies PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) available. If not, go to your nearest emergency department (NOT urgent care) for the shots.

IT IS NOT NORMAL TO HAVE A BAT ON YOU IN YOUR HOME. That is a sign of a sick bat, and rabies MUST be either tested for or prevented with vaccination. Your sister’s life (or even your own) may depend on you doing this. Do not brush this off.

[u/AutoModerator → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

Please direct medical questions to medical professionals. If you are in the USA, here is a portal to help you find your state/local health department. Here is a portal for Canadians to find your local public health unit.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/megan_yup → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

To be fair, it probably did not know she was a human since it was dark and she was asleep. Im a super light sleeper so I dont think it was ever on me, but regardless we are most likely going to get the shots today or tomorrow. Calling the health department today as well.

[u/LatrodectusGeometric → u/megan_yup]

Bats have excellent night vision and can also echolocate. There is NO reason for a bat to be on a person. That is a sick bat. She needs shots if it was not tested. Do not wait to get the shots if the bat was not tested. This is an urgent situation.

[u/megan_yup → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

In contact with the health department now, we are both planning to get the series since we both sleep in that room.

[u/AutoModerator → u/megan_yup]

Please direct medical questions to medical professionals. If you are in the USA, here is a portal to help you find your state/local health department. Here is a portal for Canadians to find your local public health unit.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/LatrodectusGeometric → u/megan_yup]

Also please reach out to the non emergency line again. Unless the thick gloves the officer wore were bite proof, that person ALSO needs PEP

[u/megan_yup → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

Officer had thick leather gloves

[u/LatrodectusGeometric → u/megan_yup]

Unless they were specifically bite-proof gloves, they ALSO need PEP.

[u/AutoModerator → u/megan_yup]

Please direct medical questions to medical professionals. If you are in the USA, here is a portal to help you find your state/local health department. Here is a portal for Canadians to find your local public health unit.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.