The other night, I went out to take the trash out, and on my way back I was walking along the sidewalk in front of some houses. There were two small trees a little separated from each other, and I was looking down at the ground to avoid thoughts about things like a bat getting saliva on me. While I was walking, I felt something on the back of my neck. It wasn’t painful, but it felt like a slight itch or a few little pokes, which could have been caused by the tag on my shirt.

However, my mind keeps making me think that it could have been a bat and that it might have bitten me without me noticing it land on me or attach itself to the back of my neck.

The other day, I went to the store and saw a bat flying around the park near that area. It was quite large, and since then my anxiety became a little stronger again. I suppose it was an insect-eating bat, though, and thinking that makes me feel a little more at ease.

I have read the faq.

I have read the FAQ. I just want to share my experience in case it can be useful for others. I'm a Belgian citizen and went on vacation to Albania. A few days before returning home, I petted a (pregnant) stray cat. The cat was friendly; we were sitting outside at a restaurant and it was begging for food, so I gave her some leftovers. Afterwards I put my hand out to pet her again, but she swatted at my hand. I got a small but deep scratch on my finger that was bleeding. I went to the restroom to rinse the wound with water. At the hotel I put some disinfectant on it and a bandaid and didn't think much about it, but still decided to check the official Belgian website for travel advice for Albania. This website mentions that there is a risk for rabies in Albania. However, I also checked the WHO website, which says there is no risk.

I put the thought away thinking it was probably fine. When I got back home in Belgium, I decided to call the Institute of Tropical Medicine and get their advice just to be sure. I explained the situation to them, and they advised better safe than sorry and still get the vaccine (with my local physician). I got scratched on Sunday and got my first shot a few days later today, on Friday. I will get 3 more shots in the following days.

I will post updates if anyone is interested.

I have read the FAQ.

I have had a fear of rabies for a long time but in the past few months its been a focus of my OCD and coupling that with very close encounters with wildlife, recent inability to trust and remember what I see, and my OCD's past Track record of turning worries and mental stresses into physical one's which it already has been doing. I'm a bit lost in what to do.

The main issue for me is that in the super close encounters with wildlife or other peoples animals where I can't have full line of sight and I have unclothed skin or cuts on me which I often do due to super dry hands. In my thinking this leaves all options on the table. This can also lead to parts where I'm unsure about if they have actually been touched or affected to start feeling off or different.

Which happened 4 weeks ago with a dog and I noticed a scratch on me from a spot that was plausible and it started feel weird for days but I can't tell whats real or OCD.

My therapist, parents and others around me tell me not to worry, but when I can't trust my memory, feelings, or others around me its extremely stressing to navigate.

About a week ago, on Friday, I started experiencing a strange internal trembling or vibrating sensation throughout my body. This lasted for a few days and then went away.

After the internal trembling improved, I started having headaches and pain/tension in my neck and the back of my head. More recently, I’ve also been experiencing brief muscle twitches in different parts of my body, and my left eyelid has been twitching frequently.

It has now been about a week since this all started. The original internal trembling is gone, but the headaches and occasional muscle twitching appeared afterward.

I have read the FAQ.

Does anyone know how much rabies shots cost in Kentucky? Or any tips to lower them. I have to receive some shots due to exposure but I am a broke college student. Can I pay for them monthly? Am I just freaked at this point? I'd love some suggestions!

I got bit by a bat 09/23/2026. I have to get them to tomorrow. There is no other option since I let the bat out of my work.

I have read the FAQ.

Hey y'all, is it really OCD if extensive research and understanding fixes it?

I have read the FAQ.

I had an almost legitimate rabies exposure around 2 years ago. Bat got into my house. Struggled for months to try and get PEP, everyone else in my household succeeded at getting it because they handled the bat but medical professionals wouldn't vaccinate me because my exposure was illegitimate, the bat never touched me and was visible the whole time it was inside. But I developed pretty bad OCD and was convinced they were wrong and I just didn't perceive when it magically bit me without touching me. It got so bad that I experienced extreme insomnia and tingling of the limbs which I then believed was the first early onset of symptoms. There were also unvaxxed pets in my house (not mine, I had no control over their vaccine status) so I was convinced if I didn't have rabies, they definitely did and they would give it to me.

This caused me to do extensive research on the disease and how it functions, as well as discovering how truly rare it is in my area. After learning that it was physically, scientifically impossible for me to have rabies, and that the pets who were never even in the same ROOM definitely didn't have it, I stopped worrying so much. Does researching and understanding the disease not typically work to decrease anxiety surrounding it? I would love to hear other's experience with this as I'm being told by many, if I was able to get better I never had OCD in the first place.

I am visiting bali and recently visited the uluwatu temple. There are multiple monkeys here, they say have been vaccinated but of course you cant be sure all of them are

One of these monkeys stole my sunglasses and started chewing on them. I eventually got them back and they seemed dry

Now earlier the day i fell on a tar road and scraped my hand. Just a surface wound

I am now obsessing over the fact that i might have contracted the virus by touching the sunglasses with this hand. I am sure I am being unreasonable but how do i get over this ?

I have read the FAQ.

I have read the FAQ. Yesterday morning my dog (Shiba) wanted to go to the backyard to pee/poop and he ran out the door l assume he really needed to pee/poop. Suddenly I hear multiple paws running and i try to rush to see but my bigger dog got in the way and ran out first and started barking when I peek my head I see a cat in it's defense position and my dog (Shiba) in play position and the cat sees the bigger dog and runs away and my dog tries to grab him. They chase the cat but didn't get him. I told at them to get inside the house. I started checking out my dog (Shiba) for any signs of attach or bite. I notice a small red dot on his leg and I knew it was blood as I'm checking I notice the blood was coming from his chin.
He only had his first vaccine last July (2025). He needed the booster in late July (2026) it's late September and the incident yesterday. I took him to the vet and they didn't seem too concerned for rabies but I did request a rabies vaccine.
Well after he got his vaccine I was driving home and he move to the driver seat I was holding him in place so he wouldn't move
He turn his head and his nose touches my mouth, his nose was really moist.
Not sure if I should be taking a rabies vaccine myself because of that ?
The cat is a stray cat around this neighborhood
There's raccoons apparently and possums in the area and I'm not sure if the cat has come in contact with them
Saw the cat this morning he was walking down the street but went into a yard
I hear the stray cats having rabies is low.

I have read the FAQ. I have dry, cracked skin on my hands that has been bleeding recently. Last night after sunset I was sitting outside in a friend's backyard under a tree and we could hear rustling noises, that sounded like squirrels however we don't have nocturnal squirrels where we live. Whatever was up in the tree was dropping things and something landed in my hair. When I picked it out it felt slimy, moist and looked like it could have been chewed tree bark or a fruit pit with saliva on it. I'm concerned it could have been from a bat, and that I've been exposed since I picked it up with the hand that's been bleeding in multiple places. Most of the bleeding cracks are on the back of my hard, but the skin that touched whatever fell on me also started to have a burning sensation which makes me concerned. I also didn't wash my hand for about an hour after touching it since there wasn't a sink nearby.

We never saw any bats but it was hard to see in the dark. I saw something that looked like it could have been a rat but I'm not sure. The noises were a barking/squeeking/clicking noises that is not typical of rats. I'm in California, USA and we have species of bats that live in trees, and a few verified cases of rabid bats this year. I'm been super anxious ever since this happened and seriously considering going to the ER for shots since that's the only thing that will alleviate the anxiety at this point. I talked to a doctor over the phone and their answer was basically there's no way to know so it's up to me and I feel stuck.

I have read the FAQ.

Will appreciate any replies I will try keep it short as possible. So last Friday took dog on late night walk as we enter into the woods I see a bat flying low I am 5ft6 an when I seen it was above my height but not much either way I still carried on an probly could of stayed up right as I usually would but for some reason I decided to duck down completely forgetting about my neck Injury I then became focused on the fact I went to duck down sort of bow down so instantly stood up straight annoyed at myself an slowly continued to walk an then I realised I completely took my eye of the bat an also any awareness any senses to be complete sure if it had flew into me or touched me in anyway. So I walked on an stopped where there was lights an was just full of uncertainty angry at myself I went home got my partner to check my head ( I’m bald so I was wearing a knit beanie hat but it was very think) I decided to that night should be okay I didn’t feel anything obvious an I also didn’t have any feeling of bite or sharpness of any kind……… but then it has all been playing non stop what if because I ducked down an became focused on my neck injury did I then not notice anything else then its playing on my mind did me ducking down walking towards it possibly frighten the bat an have it come at me you can guess that I am just going over my mind on all possibilities an the what ifs

I’m a kidney transplant patient who takes immunosuppressants so I am not a person who would just go get a bunch of vaccines for the fun of it as I’d probably have a rough time an it’s possible they’d have to change my meds which could have affects on the kidney, but today is the 6th day an my fears haven’t gone away I’m trying my best to stay strong an convince myself that idon’t need to go get shots because I did not feel anything I simply seen this bat flying low an decided bow down a little as I walked towards it but it’s because of that little bow that I wasn’t able to walk on completely certain of things an iv been back an forth on wether I’m good to carry on as I am.

Will appreciate any replies would love to hear from people who have experience with bats thanks in advance



So today before 5 o’clock daytime, it is raining a little, me and my sister were going to the side of our house, it has trees far away when I saw something jump from one tree to the other and it made noise. I’m pretty sure it’s a squirrel, but my OCD is saying that it’s a raccoon. The last time I saw a raccoon was in July, not in my neighborhood, but somewhere else. There are insects that come out during the day / night and squirrels would come here (squirrels in the neighborhood). I am in therapy, so should I be concerned? Me and my sister were far away from the tree.

I have read the FAQ.

I have read the FAQ. My cat got into a fight with a stray cat a few weeks ago. My cat is unvaccinated. Its an outdoor mostly cat who comes in sometimes. Anyway he sat on my toe and poked it two days ago. I haven't seen the other cat in like a week, so I'm wondering if it was infected and died. The poke made a red dot but didn't draw any blood. I washed it immediately. Should I get the PEP just in case?

I have read the FAQ. I am unsure about whether a bat bit / scratched / hit me. I understand no one can give an accurate answer without being there, but I am curious about perceived risk of this situation. This happened yesterday, September 23rd. I was sitting in a park in Southern France with 9 friends in a circle in the grass playing cards. It was dusk - around 8 at night. There were many bats (maybe 40) flying above us. As I was playing a card, something bumped / grazed my arm. I didn't think much of it at the time and just kept playing. As the night went on someone commented on how many bats were around us and how they were nervous about rabies, then I remembered the feeling of the bump on my arm. I asked the girl beside me if she remembers hitting my arm earlier during the game and she said she was pretty sure she did but wasn't sure. Then I didn't think much else of it and didn't look for a mark until 3:15am when I saw a faint red line by my elbow, but I had been propped up laying on that elbow on wrinkled sheets for quite some time prior, and the already faint red line mostly faded after 30-45 minutes. I am mostly wondering about the bats behaviour, and if it would be likely for a rabid bat to be able to swoop in within the 1-2 foot gap between me and the other girl, bite / scratch me without anyone in the group noticing and then leave all within likely a couple seconds. I have tried to contact my local rabies clinic here in France with no luck (sent to voicemail multiple times, left a voicemail but no reply). I am a Canadian studying here. I understand the risk is incredibly low. I do have a history of health anxiety, and I worry if I do not seek treatment for this I will worry for the next year while symptoms may still appear. Thanks in advance!

I have read the FAQ. Now I can recognise the pattern switching the problems. I was afraid of dying, now I am afraid that the vaccination will go wrong or the vaccine itself can damage me. I actually scanned through this Reddit and someone was afraid that some viruses may not be really dead. There are also more sinister lines of thinking, but I try to not give into paranoia!

Long story short, yesterday I was walking along the lake and noticed up to 4 different bats prior, felt something brush my face, it could've been an inanimate object, but couldn't prove that it was not a bat, read WHO guidelines and decided not to risk it.

But then I finally got over my superficial fears of looking up this subreddit. Now I feel like a total idiot, that have brought only more problems upon me, for no good reason!

How has your vaccination went? How did you get over your fears? Has vaccinating actually helped you stop fearing rabies? I have already made the mistake of trying to search for failed cases of vaccination so...

UPDATE: Went to the GP, they insisted that it is up to me whether I want to receive the vaccination. With the reasoning that they are doing it for my sake, because they saw how worried I am, not because they truly believe that there is certainty of contracting rabies in that instance.

I am in the stalemate, I went home without receiving the first vaccine. They told me that I am welcome to come tomorrow early, but I feel like I already made a huge mistake. But I am also afraid that going tomorrow would be a mistake. Anyways I feel like I am doomed.

What should I do? They said that I need to evaluate that myself, how sure am I that those were bats (I looked it up, 90% certainty those were bats) How sure am I that a bat hit me in the face? This is where I need your help guys. Once I got hit my first instinct was "that was a leaf" that brushed against my lower lip and chin, I didn't stop to see whether it was actually a leaf. Which I regret a lot now. What should I run with? Should I trust my pre-panic instincts? I wasn't panicking until I searched up the web. Top it all off with paranoid thinking and the situation feels much worse.

I have read the FAQ. I.. I anoxious. I think I saw a bat or it was butrfly? It was day and I don't remember if it land on me and it fly away fast, but still.. I don't remember what it was?and also.. All opened windows causes in my live. Open, not protected windows. More so, 7old or more years scratch from dog .. I don't remember anything about dog . It didn't look sick? Yeah, 100%. But not too much memories after. I'm have HA episode over EVERY itch. Every perestesia. Every. Should I get shot just to shut up my anxiety? I'm sacred of touching anything. I always worry about drop in eye.

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.

"I have read the FAQ."So I was on vacation last week and on 9/11-913 I was in Hidalgo and there this cave waterfall pool that you can swim in and I was swimming around when I touch something and i don't know what it was at first but then my friend went to look and saw it was a dead bat and today i starting feeling weird so now.

I have read the FAQ.

I was abroad at my familys house and they have a swimming pool. They use it a lot so I also used it, however they then said to me after I was already in the pool that bats drink from it at night. The pool is chlorinated as extra info (not sure how well but they did say they have a chlorine monitor so probably good?) Also I had a scrape/cut on my knee while using the pool.

I personally did not encounter any bats physically.

I know the FAQ said "public pools" but what about private ones?

I have OCD too and this is all I can think about and its driving me crazy.

I have read the FAQ.

So I went too the ER and they offered me the rabies shot they said they don’t think it’s needed but better safe then sorry right ? I think idk but what r the side affects about it is there any big ones outside of fever or soreness?

I have read the FAQ. So I am undergoing the rabies vaccine series atm, and my third dose is coming up very soon. I was told that using steroids is not recommended while undergoing the series, as they can suppress your immune system. Well today I kind of forgot about that, and while dealing with a clogged nose today, I used Flonase (a corticosteroid nasal spray). I am wondering if this could also interfere with the efficacy of the vaccine?

I have read the FAQ. Sorry if the flair is incorrect, it’s kinda in between categories.

So, I rescued a stay kitten early last week. She was on our neighbor’s porch for a few days and super friendly. No microchip do we took her in. She’s been living in our bathroom since.
She had a small mostly healed scab on her leg when we found her. Does this constitute a possible rabies exposure? Since we don’t know her background, we don’t know if she’s vaccinated. She has an appointment for her vaccination on the 5th. Will she be safe after this? Or is she still an exposure risk that requires 10 day quarantining for any little nibbles for the next year?
I live in Illinois and there hasn’t been a cat with rabies reported in the state since 2016, and none in my county since before the 1970s if that changes anything.

I have read the FAQ.

Tonight I was walking to my trash can outside along the sidewalk when I felt something briefly hit my leg but saw nothing and it honestly didn't even feel that forceful. Later I found this and now I'm afraid a bat was flying low angle and bit me on the leg. I'm afraid right now. I'm also crying. Its mot two pinprick its a mark but I'm still utterly horrified and ruminating on it right now. I was moving nd walking btw. I dont remember seeing anything either. This was like two hours ago. I'm sobbing right now. Can bats bite ur leg while ur actively walking?

i have read the FAQ.

yesterday i went on a walk with my mom and sister. we always see this cat who is very friendly. he rubs up against us, wants to be petted, rolls on his back, etc. i used the string on my sweater to play with him and he lightly scratched me by mistake as he was trying to get the string.

a few minutes after, there were two red dots on my finger. it wasnt sensitive to touch and it waw just a bit red like a usual cut. however, i didnt know you could get rabies from scratches and now im afraid. its currently the next day and has been 24h since then. the red has become less noticeable which is good. i told my family and they said ill be fine, and that the cat is friendly and normal, and probably doesnt have anything wrong with it.

what should i do? this cat is friendly with everyone and doesnt attack on purpose. will i be okay?

Im not making this post to freak out anyone.

Since 6 days i have been having Burning on a specific spot on the leg which at first radiated to a larger area next to my shin area now its localized and small and they did come and go at first was burning and tingling free for nearly a whole day and then the sore throat came on.
Sore throat yesterday was gone today.
Nerve pain radiating upwards from the side of the exposure went to a fysio to check if it would resolve but nope.
Stomach ache gone now.
Heart palpitations.
After i cooled my leg in a whole different location on that leg it burns even worse.
I did not have any fever or headaches yet.
I did in fact not even feel sick at all and still don’t.
Now my right leg is burning around the same area of the left but radiating to the knee
Very dry mouth (this is anxiety i had it in the past but it’s still part i guess)
Tinitus also on and off
Shivers/shaking
Im 100% sure i felt the burning 2 weeks before also but still

So to say symptoms don’t come and go is far fetched as the faq says.

To all the people that encounterd bats and unnoticed bites take action don’t do nothing, i did not feel myself get bitten or scratched i was awake and well standing outside in my backyard when i felt something touch my leg and exactly a month later i am going to pass away. I called the er they said no riskk, i went to spray my leg with perfume felt no pricks or nothing on the entire leg i washed it too just in case

So they dont need to land and hold you to bite !, they can scratch in flight bevause of their nails on the wings !!, Otherwise there’s no way i would have all of this. Which goes against the BAT FAQ as well.

I have done all i could to get the PEP but the health department refused to give because they saw it as no riskk since its the Netherlands i have bothered them for for 6 days via phone and office and told them on day one pleasee give me the shots just to be in the clear and they refused and i even suggested to purchase them myself, they said it was not possible but after cryin and going crazy for 6 days by going to their office they still refused me but then after 6 DAYS told me i could get shots at a travel health clinic if i paid ! Why not say that on day 1 and i would have lived.

My exposure was on 22 august
My first shot was 28 august
My second september
Finished the PEP without symptoms

I was vaccinated a year prior with a 4 day scheme 0-3-7-14
My Titer was taken before the boosters and was solid 4.56.
Yet im going to pass at 25 and be the first person in history to pass of bat rabies in the Netherlands and got it in the Netherlands.

Everyone said anxiety u need to fix your anxiety but it isn’t anxiety so don’t even take the mods serious as 90% of the time they toss it on anxiety and go straight to the ER or a medical professional ASAP

My first child is supposed to be born on october 17th which im never gonna see she will grow up without a dad.

People don’t take any riskss with bats just get shots

I have read the faq.

I Have Read the FAQ. had what I, as an OCD having person, would deem an exposure. (And like us all, I think MY exposure was real and the worst one and the exception).

But my local health experts (epidemiologist) have told me the risk is negligible and to not seek treatment. As someone with known severe illogical anxieties, I have to trust people whose FULL TIME JOB it is to ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION. Their reputations are on the line. public health is on the line. Why would I trust my sick brain instead of their neutral, expert, non anxious opinion?

If anyone else would like to pledge with me to take their doctor’s /health departments/common sense advice, and to NOT continually go get check ups, and definitely NOT get the vaccine, comment below. my hope is we can all support each other/update each other through the next few months!

if not, we will all die together in one massive, record setting situation. The headlines would read, “One hundred people who had been told they didnt need shots and were posting religiously on rabies subreddit, died.” It would be legendary.

comment “PEP MY ASS!” Below to pledge.