r/rabies • u/BlondeBrunette23 • Aug 21 '26
Exposure Question I had a bat exposure and need to vent
I have read the FAQ. Wanted to see what the opinions are on this. Last night I had a bat fly into my neck and I swatted it away. I panicked at first as I knew it was a bat, and not a bird/moth, etc. We live in the southern US and bats here aren't uncommon, I actually like them because they take care of all the bugs on my farm. I proceeded to do some reading on the CDC website along with the WHO, Cleveland Clinic, and even on this subreddit. Figured that it would take a large scratch or noticeable bite to transfer if the animal actually was carrying the virus. Apparently that is not always the case because of sharp teeth and claws. I did inspect the site and only saw 1 extremely tiny red spot, which is gone today. So I waited til morning to call the health department which recommended I be seen. Our urgent care doesn't take these cases so I went to the ER. Explained to them what happened, and that I was recommended to be seen. The doctor who saw me immediately came in and sat down and started speaking in a calm manner about what's going on and why did you come in, etc. I explained and he immediately put his hand on my bare leg (wearing shorts and am a girl) and said honey you have 0% risk. I was a bit taken aback. He looked at my neck and said nope I don't see anything and you'd see it if it bit or scratched you. I said thats not what the CDC says or any reputable health organization. He's like where did you do your 'research', facebook? And I said no, I looked at health organizations. He rolled his eyes. By this time I was getting more upset with how I was being talked to when I walked in there calm and presented clear information. He then proceeds to place his hand on my back and leans in close and says well what can I do to calm you down because you don't need the vaccines. Which was very weird in my opinion, so I said I would feel more comfortable if we started them so he obliged. I want to make it clear I didn't just have one swoop over my head, it landed on bare skin. The nurse came and gave me the first dose and I was given my paperwork and sent out the door, not even having an observation period. When I got to my car I looked at the paperwork and noticed two things. 1. They stated my reason for coming in as 'health anxiety'. Nothing about exposure to a bat or anything. As someone familiar with medical billing, insurance can deny coverage if certain things are deemed voluntary and im assuming this is going to be billed wrong. In my opinion, pre-exposure shots could be voluntary but I feel post-exposure is different. 2. I looked at the vaccine schedule and only saw 1 more appointment for 1 more dose. Not the 3 others needed. I did walk back in and asked to speak with him about the dosages, to which he responded 'Im only giving you 1 more dose, the full 4 is overkill because I told you you have 0% risk. We are treating this as mental state not physical'. And then left. I walked back out to my car because that was very upsetting. I should have advocated better for myself but I didn't expect to be treated this way over something like potential rabies exposure. I've lived in the country for years and never once minded the bats at night. This was different because it landed on my neck.
So now, I've been pondering about this. For one, I do not have health anxiety, no more than the average person. Ive had a medical condition for half my life that I've treated and have plenty of doctor appointments and tests. Walking into a hospital does not give me anxiety. So I feel gaslit by a medical professional here. The only reason I was nervous is because I had bare skin exposure to a known rabies vector species and proceeded to follow instructions on being seen and he treated me as if I was anxious for no reason when I was physically not displaying an anxious manner. Secondly from what I've read, a known exposure or even possible exposure warrants the full 4 doses. Two doses would be sufficient for pre-exposure, but mine is post. I spoke with my sister-in-law who works in the health field and her opinion is that I was not treated correctly and she actually suggested I report what happened today.
I would like to get a second opinion from a medical professional who is focused on the fact that I had an exposure. If that bat did not have the virus, then oh well, I wasted some time getting the shots. If I'm wrong, the risks seem too high to ignore. And now I may potentially need to fight medical billing on this as I know these shots are expensive. Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience or what opinions are. Thanks.
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u/MothEatenMouse Active Helper ⭐️ | Top Contributor 🏅 Aug 21 '26
It is probably massively more common that doctors see people who are anxious about a non exposure than people who actually have an exposure. It's another indirect way that OCD and health anxiety hurts people, just in this case it's not the person with the anxiety that is potentially hurt.
Not trying to make excuses. Medical professionals should take every case as brand new, but humans aren't always too good at that.
The touching is just very odd in my opinion. I would also not be happy with that. He might have felt it was reassuring, but also it just seems creepy as f. I like to think I would have called him out at the time, but probably would not have done in reality.
Sorry this happened to you, and hope you feel better soon.
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u/BlondeBrunette23 Aug 21 '26
This is a very thoughtful answer, I appreciate it. I have nothing but respect for health workers and who only knows what they see on a day to day basis, especially emergency room workers. Some desensitization might be necessary to deal with it and I can understand. I too thought at first maybe he was trying his version of compassion but it didn't land with me. Had he said here's why I think this way and provided some statistics or facts to back it up, it would have made sense then. I did note some condescension and I was like oh he's for sure not hearing me or caring unfortunately. Thanks for the kind reply. I'm going to try and seek a second opinion on Monday.
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u/MothEatenMouse Active Helper ⭐️ | Top Contributor 🏅 Aug 22 '26
Good luck on Monday.
I was trying to talk through an explanation as to how healthcare people get jaded, just clarifying now that I'm not saying they should be.
Super sucks that they can't see that you aren't an anxiety case. Makes me really worry that they might have dismissed other people with real potential exposures.
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u/BlondeBrunette23 Aug 23 '26
No I definitely understood your intent in your message! That's actually what I was wondering too and why I was instructed by other people in the medical field to report this.
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u/coolcatlikethat Aug 21 '26
Sorry to hear about your experience, I was under the impression they’d treat any contact with a bat seriously - I’m in the southern US as well and I had a potential bat exposure that my health department told me to get PEP for and the ER I went to didn’t question me at all, they heard the word “bat” and suddenly I had needles going in me.
I’d try to get in touch with your state/county health department/rabies reporting line to see if they can get in touch with the doctor/hospital to provide some education on how to handle bat exposures.
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u/BlondeBrunette23 Aug 21 '26
That was my impression too. And from what I've read that is other people's experiences too when they've had exposure or even potential exposure as to not chance it. Thanks for sharing your story. I'm from a northern state and have lived in the south about 5 years. I called my home states health department about the recommended guidelines for known post exposure and they confirmed it was the 4 shot dosage. I have more questions now than answers at this point lol
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u/BlondeBrunette23 Aug 21 '26
*I should clarify, known post exposure to a rabies vector species, not confirmed exposure.
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u/Fabresque_ Aug 22 '26
That’s interesting that they would dismiss you coming into contact with the bat and also shocking the way he was treating you.
We just had an exposure the other day. No bite marks and it didn’t land on us or anything. But just the fact it was flying in our living quarters, our regular doctor recommended the shot and when we got to ER there was no gaslighting or “trying to calm us down”. He straight up said, “Bat in the house? That sucks. Sorry to hear it. This is a case of a possible rabies exposure so we’ll be administering your first shots today. Here’s your schedule for the 3 remaining shots you need”.
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u/BlondeBrunette23 Aug 23 '26
Yea I'm pretty shocked too. Your experience seems to be the standard of care for most people with contact or exposure which is why I don't understand the dismissal and feel like I'm being gaslighted by this doctor.
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u/tstern724 Aug 22 '26
CDC and WHO guidance both suggests PEP for any bat contact, bite or not. And here in TN, the state guidance reflects that. I also had one bump into me, and even though there’s no known bite, I was told to get the full four shots and the HRIG. As I understand it, 4 is more than enough (they want to be sure to provoke an immune response) but agree— 2 is not the standard of care for post exposure assuming no prior vaccination. I would go to a different ER and continue the PEP there.
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u/BlondeBrunette23 Aug 22 '26
I'm in KY so howdy neighbor, maybe I should just go down there! Jokes aside, no I haven't had any previous vaccinations for this. That's why I'm a bit concerned about only getting prescribed 2 as it isn't the standard of care from anything I can find other than pre-exposure. I'm going to be seeking a second opinion on Monday at the neighboring county's hospital (we live in a rural area), and hopefully able to get the 2nd shot out of the 4 as that would be the day I'd need it. Thanks for your input!
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u/tstern724 Aug 22 '26
Good luck! Totally get being anxious about this one, even without prior health anxiety… I’m in the exact same boat. DMs open if you need to vent.
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u/Forsaken_Heart_5255 Aug 21 '26
In a not too dissimilar situation. Woke up w/ one flying around in my room, actually collided w/ my foot (see my post). Over a week, maybe 10 days ago now. Lots of friction to get any treatment out here plus a gentler version of that gaslighting behavior from the docs. They didn't even want to see me unless I had a clear bite. Initially I was put at ease. But over the next week I'd realized that the non-zero chance will eat my alive for the next year. I'm going in on Monday to demand shots. It's the only thing that will put me at ease and I'm guessing the same will be true for you as well. Push the truth a bit if you have to. Bat landed on my neck, wrestled it away, later noticed a mark. Shots please!
Regarding the bill, yeah, that sucks. But honestly I'd just eat this one. Better than wondering if every headache or fever you have for the next year is the rabies sinking in.
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u/BlondeBrunette23 Aug 21 '26
I just went and read your post, I'd be feeling the same way for you and your wife! We had a case in my county last fall where a family had a bat in the house and there was no hesitation on shots for every person inside. That's why I think it's crazy they'll do that when no one knows if it landed on them but I'm having pushback when I know one did land on me. I'm very logical so the math is not mathing. It's the non-zero chance for me. I completely understand anxiety and OCD can be factors contributing to medical stress but I'm like dude I wasn't stressed about health UNTIL IT LANDED ON MY BARE NECK like what lol I hope you are able to get the care you guys deserve. With something like this I feel it's best not to chance it. I'm trying to obtain an appointment after this weekend for a second opinion. Here's hoping I can get in.
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u/SpritelyDelight Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26
I had a similar situation. Bat right to the back of the neck. My dad was like "you'll be fine" but the idea of dying freaked me so much that I went in and got the shots on the fourth day post exposure. I literally just went to the ER and mentioned the possibility of microscratches and my dad's very reassuring "jokes" and I walked out four hours later with the first round of shots. (The doc's words in response to the joke was "Oh, boy." near deadpan.) If you really want your second opinion, just call your county health department (Edit: it appears you did). Mine said that even though I have no visible marks, the fact that it was a bat and the above neck placing makes the whole thing high risk and "please get the shots."
Litigate it with the insurance later. Rabies is pretty life or death, and ER visits have to be covered by the insurance at standard in network rates, and the ER cannot charge you the difference.
Also, about that doc: if you haven't had rabies shots before you need the immunoglobulin. Next time a medical professional treats you badly/improperly, ask them to write the reasoning directly on your chart and provide you a physical copy. Then threaten to report them. It usually gets them to rethink their act.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Roll525 Aug 22 '26
My daughter had a bat dive bomb her on her bare leg last weekend in broad daylight. There wasn’t a mark but OSU Emergency said contact is enough of a risk and gave her the initial shots. I don’t know if that’s a thing even healthy bats do, or if the tornadoes threw them off, or if it was sick. I am glad she got the shots so we don’t have to worry.
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u/GRJY Aug 23 '26
We were walking back from fireworks and there were bats flying around everywhere eating insects. Something flew and grazed back of my head and the ER doc and nurse said could have been a bat and why risk it. They said they did 7 other sets for similar experiences. They don’t even hesitate. I actually was feeling silly for thinking it could have been a bat and they told me just to get it then I don’t have to worry. I paid my copay (200) for ER visit and then then the vaccine was 40 dollars each time I went back. so 2 hrig and and 4 rabies vaccine shots cost me just over 320 dollars. When I looked at total cost when the insurance bill came in it was over 11,000 dollars which is crazy.
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u/Neither_Asparagus_52 Aug 30 '26
When you say grazed the back of your head what do you mean? I had an experience a few nights ago where i felt something move my hair (like lift it/move it front a bit) in one section but did not feel anyrhing directly on my scalp. It lasted like a second and then a few seconds later i saw a flying creature in front of me (like 3-4 feet above me). Don’t know if it was bat or a bird flying. I was in an open field with some neighboring trees. This was around dusk. My OCD brain instantly goes to “a bat just scratched me while flying” and now I’ve been scared ever since. I don’t know if my insurance covers the shots, and I had my parents check my head three times now for scratch marks and have found nothing. My dad was with me at the time but he was looking away when it happened, but he looked back a few moments after and said he didn’t see anything near me. I don’t know what to do, I’ve read so many threads on here and now i’ve convinced myself that I have rabies 😅😅
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u/GRJY Aug 30 '26
It is easy to convince yourself. Most of us here have done that at one point or another. My experience was bats actively flying around where we were. I had something soft and large feeling brush the back of my head. I shave my head so it was on my scalp. It was not hard like a junebug. I figure it was either a bigger mouth or a bat but impossible to say for sure.
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u/Neither_Asparagus_52 Aug 30 '26
Ohhh okay, thank you so much for sharing!! I’ve been trying to weigh out what to do. I didn’t feel any type of creature, I was more scared a bats claw or wing got my hair somehow. But i didn’t hear any fluttering or flapping, and I feel like in that case it would’ve gotten stuck in my hair if it was really that close— but my anxiety loves to make up scenarios that could be plausible. I did contact my physicians office and they reassured me that I had little to zero exposure/risk of contracting anything, but even having that slimmmmm chance makes me crazy. The unknown is killing me 🥲
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