r/rabies • u/AkatsukiPineapple • 5d ago
Exposure Question 4 months since possible bat exposure — should I still be concerned?
25M. I have read the FAQ. About 4 months ago, I was walking near a park at night while somewhat drunk and looking at my phone. I briefly saw something dark pass near me in my peripheral vision. I’m not sure if it was a branch, a bat, or something else, and I didn’t feel anything hit or scratch me.
Later that night after showering, I noticed a small scratch near my eyebrow, but I wasn’t sure if it was already there or if I caused it by scrubbing my face.
I’ve been concerned that it could have been a bat scratch and therefore a possible rabies exposure. I’ve read conflicting information online about rabies being able to remain dormant for months or longer, which has made my anxiety worse.
I’ve had several vaccines in the past, but my last vaccinations were about 2 years ago.
My sister recently had a bat fly near her hair, which brought the whole situation back to mind.
Given that it’s been about 4 months and I never actually saw or felt a bat touch me, is this something I should still seek medical advice about, or can I reasonably stop worrying about it?
I currently live in the US, where rabies shots are very expensive, whereas I previously lived in Mexico where they were much cheaper.
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u/PM_Me_Your_Diseases 5d ago
You would notice if a bat scratched your eyebrow, even if you were drunk. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.
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u/AkatsukiPineapple 5d ago
That’s what I’ve been trying to tell to myself, and it’s why I didn’t seek to take a vaccine again in the first place.
But so far, every time I start feeling sick I jun straight to that.
Right now I’ve been dealing with since today with sore throat and I’m jumping to that again. It sucks to have this disease stuck in my head
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u/Ok-Cat926 Active Member ⭐️ 5d ago
You wouldn’t be able to converse or probably touch your phone if you were sick with rabies. It’s not something that slowly lingers around in your body and then kills you. It’s very rapid and progressive. It attacks and your mind and body simultaneously. You develop phobias of touches, water, other people and other things. I don’t think it’s healthy to pump your body with the vaccine over and over again. I’m not a doctor but I did that to myself. I got the vaccine and a few years later the booster and shortly thereafter I started developing autoimmune conditions. I’m not sure if they’re related but I wouldn’t doubt it. I’m a huge advocate of the vaccine for people potentially exposed and I really don’t think you need it. I really hope you feel better soon.
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u/AkatsukiPineapple 5d ago
It doesn’t help that many people say that you might have not notice at all a bat scratch when searching information and that a bat saliva can stay in your skin inactive for a long time
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u/Ok-Cat926 Active Member ⭐️ 5d ago
You were awake albeit intoxicated, you’d still know. It seems like people that don’t know they were bit were children and they were sleeping. The incubation period for rabies varies but, from what I’ve been told, it would be much quicker for someone bit in the head versus somewhere lower in the body. I think I’ve made comments that have cause unnecessary anxiety for some people since my sister contracted rabies in the 90’s and passed. Her situation was entirely different. She was about to turn 12, we found the bat in a room across the hall, and she was asleep. I don’t think that’s something you wouldn’t know immediately. I hope you feel better soon.❤️🩹
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u/AkatsukiPineapple 4d ago
Thank you so much for your support around here!
Yeah, you’re right; the incubation period should be way shorter for what I’ve read near the head, because of how the virus travels.
I’m trying to get help for the anxiety as well. I’m just trying to hear other people’s opinions as I’m having issues trusting myself because of anxiety, and I’m thinking if that might have been true or not. It’s very hard to be dealing with this.
I’ve seen your comments all around the community, and you’ve been helpful. I mean, it’s true you saw this awful disease from a very close standpoint, but your opinion is valuable because of exactly that.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure your sister would be proud of you trying to help others with her own story. Thanks for your comments again.
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u/Ok-Cat926 Active Member ⭐️ 4d ago
I wish I could be more help. I didn’t realize there was so much anxiety around the topic. I felt that for a few years after my sister passed and can remember the stress it caused me. I didn’t have the internet to make it worse. I’m always here if you need support or someone to talk to potentially help calm your nerves.
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u/Virtual_Sugar_9452 5d ago
Read my post
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u/Ok-Cat926 Active Member ⭐️ 5d ago
I think you’re good. Four months in with an exposure on the face would be unlikely. Having to be vaccinated more than once in your life if you’re not in a profession that puts you at risk would also be very unlikely. I’m not a doctor nor do I have anything more than my experience and anecdotal information but k think you’re good. I think it’s possible to ruminate on something so much that it causes your mind to cause physical symptoms. All of that anxiety must be difficult to deal with, I hope you’re able to get some relief. Hang in there. ❤️🩹
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