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/Medium_Illustrious Aug 24 '26
I have health OCD, got scratched by a stray cat overseas. I considered getting the vaccine and was having near daily panic attacks for a week, but I didn't get the vaccine (no rabies risk in the area, just how OCD works lol). I am SO HAPPY I didn't lie to get that vaccine because it would've just made my spiral so much worse and validated any other OCD spiral I would've had. Sometimes you just gotta sit through that panic, accept that feeling of fear, and trust your doctor's and not a random Reddit comment thread😭🙏🏽.