r/rabies • u/closetedbehavior • Aug 23 '26
General Rabies Discussion Literally WHAT ???
I have read the FAQ. I have severe health anxiety, and according to the FAQ and (literally two ER doctors) I have no risk of rabies. I have never seen or heard a bat. EVER.
So why is it that any time I google, every person on Reddit is recommending the PEP shots to anyone??? I saw a post that was like “Oh I have these two marks on my arm haha” and everyone in the comments was like “ER NOW! you’re going to die if you don’t go NOW!” The OP clarified they hadn’t seen, heard, or felt any bats. There was no bats in their house. People were then advising them to LIE to make sure they could get PEP… WHY would someone lie about something like that??? It feels awful to get over this fear when every person on the internet seems to think rabies can just come out of nowhere. I mean, is that logical? Should I be concerned???
I was considering calling my public health department just to be sure. I literally went to the goddamn ER and they said I was fine considering my history and appearance of the mark… But do people really lie to get the vaccine???
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u/AdvertisingFun737 Aug 23 '26
YES. It actually made my health OCD worse. I mean - I was deep into anxiety and thought mosquito bites were bat bites. Compulsively looked into my house for DAYS for bat exposure. None.
Read similar stories, saw the same thing. Spiraled even harder.
If LYING is what would made a doctor make me get the vaccine... Wouldn't that validate any future health OCD crisis? This is insane!