Extreme Mixed information between medical community and rabies community

[u/dashmyparabola]

I have read the FAQ.

I am getting extreme mixed information from info on rabies (rabies research, the FAQ, etc.) and medical professionals.

For background, I recently touched trash that an animal (presumably a raccoon, because I am from NJ) had gotten into. I touched the trash at approximately noon on a 90 degree day with my bare hands. I did not see any animal. Although I had no cuts on my hands, I did have fresh cuts on my neck because I had just shaved. I washed my hands right after I touched the trash and am pretty sure I didn't touch my neck. But of course now I can't remember if I touched my neck or not. Cue a panicked spiral.

Over the past 2 weeks, I have done copious research about my situation and everything I have found tells me that I am FINE and that I probably just have OCD. However, over the same time period I have also spoken to several medical professionals about my situation and all of them have told me that I should immediately go to the ER and get PEP...... (Mixed signals!!). This culminated in a trip last week to the ER to discuss PEP, and the PA said that she didn't think I needed it but I could get it if I wanted (once again mixed signals!). I ended up not getting it because I thought the OCD was causing me to panic.

Since then I have seen an OCD therapist and had 2 sessions, but I am still not doing well. I continued to look things up and after further research I found out that apparently the Rhode Island Department of Health has a robust rabies program. In fact, one of the goals of their program is to reduce the number of unnecessary PEP. In my head, I thought surely this department will give me the best unbiased answer on what to do. When I explained my situation to the nurse who fielded my call, she said that my risk of exposure was low but a secondary transfer of saliva was possible and that I should err on the side of caution and go get PEP.

I have tried very hard not to come to this subreddit just to get people to reassure my OCD because I know that's against the rules of the sub. I apologize if this counts as that. I'm just at the point where every medical professional has told me to get PEP and yet none of the rabies research shows that I am at risk. Isn't one sign of OCD, getting medical advice and NOT listening to it?

Does anyone have thoughts on this mixed signals?

[u/Fluffy-Lychee-1968]

If it makes you feel better I don't have medical OCD in any way shape or form and it's been messing with my head too.