-
Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Hi everyone,
Rabies scare really sucks... Two weeks ago I went to a friends gathering. The whole time I was sitting on a bench chair under the table covered with long table cloth. It is summer here in Massachusetts, so I did feel a lot of bugs on my legs when my legs were under the table. Didn't think too much about it. Fast forward several days, my friend told me that she found bats in the attic of her house. The same day I went home and examined my whole day... I then found two bite marks on my ankle (very close to each other, definitely resembles bat bites)... Now it's been 14 days since the gathering, the two red marks are still here and I'm scared as hell because its already very late to get any vaccinations and I have been feeling some nerve pain on my legs.. I'm so scared it's rabies. The day of the gathering I did not feel any sharp pain but I don't know if bat bites are supposed to hurt or not... Online says bat bites could be very small and unnoticeable, so is it possible that I could have gotten bit without knowing or seeing a bat? Thanks everyone
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
woaidelrey
Hi everyone,
Rabies scare really sucks... Two weeks ago I went to a friends gathering. The whole time I was sitting on a bench chair under the table covered with long table cloth. It is summer here in Massachusetts, so I did feel a lot of bugs on my legs when my legs were under the table. Didn't think too much about it. Fast forward several days, my friend told me that she found bats in the attic of her house. The same day I went home and examined my whole day... I then found two bite marks on my ankle (very close to each other, definitely resembles bat bites)... Now it's been 14 days since the gathering, the two red marks are still here and I'm scared as hell because its already very late to get any vaccinations and I have been feeling some nerve pain on my legs.. I'm so scared it's rabies. The day of the gathering I did not feel any sharp pain but I don't know if bat bites are supposed to hurt or not... Online says bat bites could be very small and unnoticeable, so is it possible that I could have gotten bit without knowing or seeing a bat? Thanks everyone
Had the same fear as you for a bit, and let me tell you that if a bat was anywhere near you, you’d know. As stated many times, they’re not ninjas, if it was under the table, it would’ve been found by people at your gathering. This is especially the case if it was rabid because rabid bats start to have a lot of difficulty flying and therefore stay put. That’s why victims of rabid bats usually find the bat in their room after waking up. Not only this but if a bat bit you, you’d known. The whole point of the rabies virus is to spread itself, and so if the bat saw no reaction from biting you, it would’ve kept biting. You don’t have rabies, don’t even waste your time worrying about it. It’s a scary disease and that’s exactly why you’re being so irrational about the situation, trust me, I went through the same thing. Good luck! :)
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
HelloPanda23
Had the same fear as you for a bit, and let me tell you that if a bat was anywhere near you, you’d know. As stated many times, they’re not ninjas, if it was under the table, it would’ve been found by people at your gathering. This is especially the case if it was rabid because rabid bats start to have a lot of difficulty flying and therefore stay put. That’s why victims of rabid bats usually find the bat in their room after waking up. Not only this but if a bat bit you, you’d known. The whole point of the rabies virus is to spread itself, and so if the bat saw no reaction from biting you, it would’ve kept biting. You don’t have rabies, don’t even waste your time worrying about it. It’s a scary disease and that’s exactly why you’re being so irrational about the situation, trust me, I went through the same thing. Good luck! :)
Yea I can't imagine a bat bit me and I didn't know, and nobody at the party noticed a bat the whole time at all... It's just the two bite marks that are there are constantly reminding me that it may be rabies... And I'm constantly attributing any symptoms I have now to rabies. I feel like this is onee scare that really gives me panic attacks at this point because there is just no way to know :(
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
woaidelrey
I feel like this is one scare that really gives me panic attacks at this point because there is just no way to know :(
On the contrary, there is. If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it's a duck. You can't make a duck turn into a ninja bat no matter how hard you try.
If you can make up a scenario and convince yourself a rabid bat, which are typically flying mammals, was crawling around unseen on the ground in a group of people, found it's way to your leg, bit you and you didn't notice anything or feel it, I think you should consider a career in fiction writing.
Positive thoughts
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Hi
This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your post was moved from its original place to a sub-forum that is more relevant to your issue.
This is nothing personal - it just enables us to keep posts about the same problems in the relevant forums so other members with any experience with the issues can find them more easily.
Please also read this post:
http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=213239
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
I am now having whole body soreness, joint pain... I really am starting to think I'm one of the few unfortunately ppl now... It's too late to get shots now as well 😭
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
How would you have not known if a rabid small mammal was under your table?
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
woaidelrey
I am now having whole body soreness, joint pain... I really am starting to think I'm one of the few unfortunately ppl now... It's too late to get shots now as well
Rabies does not normally show up within 2 weeks time. It is usually like 6 weeks to 3 months, although there are outliers.
The facts are these: you didn't see a bat. Just because bats are in her attic doesn't at all mean they were hanging around in her backyard by your ankles. Those two pronged marks are VERY common. I have found them on my body in rabies panics and out of rabies panics, as well as on my kids' bodies. Those marks could have been caused by anything.
I find it really difficult to believe you would be unaware if a bat had bitten you at a party when you were wide awake. There is a lot of information about people brushing against bats, not feeling a bite, and then getting rabies. I have read the case histories ad nauseum after finding a very dead, untestable bat in my daughter's room. The adults that brushed against bats and then got rabies had awareness they had been in contact with a bat. There are cases of sleeping children (well a sleeping child) getting bitten and not knowing it, but children are something special, lol. Have you ever seen them sleep?
I find it really hard to believe you were bitten by a bat when you were wide awake when you didn't see a bat anywhere. If you called the CDC, they would not recommend a RPEP course in your case. Can you imagine how many people would be going through rabies vaccination if the recommendation was to administer the shots every time someone found a two pronged mark after being outside??? It is NOT recommended because a two pronged mark is not considered an exposure. You don't have a real bat bite. You have a mark that you want to believe is a bat bite. There is a difference.
You have yourself so worked up that you (subconsciously) are scanning any flutter or twinge in your body, looking for evidence of rabies. This (phantom rabies) is a very common phenomenon among people that fear they have been exposed. It is really hard to combat the fear when you are sure you've been exposed, feel sensations/pain in your body. All of that creates a feedback loop from hell that will keep you in the rabies paranoia. As I said, I have read so much about rabies, and the way rabies presents is not all over muscle pain, so you really aren't even showing rabies symptoms. But, your brain will want to trick and trick you until you have calmed down naturally or it has been so long that you realize it couldn't be rabies because if it had been you would already be dead.
I hope that these replies help you to see this more clearly and help you calm down naturally.
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Thank you so much for the long reply. This is so very kind of you and have put my mind at ease somewhat.
I think I just keep replaying that day in my head trying to find moments or scenarios that I could have forgotten that could be a bat biting me. I know the statistic says very low probability but I can't stop feeling/thinking that what if it was a bat- the two pronged marks does not come from nowhere. Her house does have bats and if it was a bat on the ground, then that bat definitely had rabies because bats usually don't stay grounded unless they were sick.
Then again, there were other people there wearing shorts and dresses as well, why is it just me who got bitten by the bat?
The symptoms I'm feeling also makes it even more difficult to dismiss/forget about the fear. Everything just seems to be a perfect storm leading me to believe I'm doomed...
Thank you so much for your reply
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
I'm on my way to the ER to ask for rabies shots after reading this 😭https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.tod...amp/tdna121279
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
I'd be very surprised if they give it to you.
Positive thoughts
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
I'm debating in the ER parking lot :(. The shots are super expensive, but on the other hand it's my life... Most importantly it's because of my symptoms- pain and tingly in my legs and forearms that are worrying me sick- I'm afraid rabies are attacking my peripheral nervous system already and that if I do not do something, I'm gonna let it invade central nervous system .. I'm going crazy here I feel like .. rabies is the most profound fear I've ever had 😭
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Take a breath and use your logic. YOU DO NOT HAVE RABIES.
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BlueIris
Take a breath and use your logic. YOU DO NOT HAVE RABIES.
I came back from the ER parking lot. Didn't go into ER at the end.. price is gonna be too much and I'm not sure about this situaiton..
but this physical pain in my lower legs and forearms are constantly reminding me that I may be the unlucky one...
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
...Or that your anxiety is making you tense and hyper aware of every tiny bodily sensation.
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Woke up with anxiety through the roof. Leg and arm aches.. I just don't know how to pull through this one...
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
One hour at a time, a minute at a time if necessary.
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
woaidelrey
I came back from the ER parking lot. Didn't go into ER at the end.. price is gonna be too much and I'm not sure about this situaiton..
The fact you didn't go in shows that deep down you know you weren't bitten ;) Hang onto that!
Positive thoughts
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
The thing is I can't think of any other two pronged marks that do not itch and are not painful... Flea bites will itch, bug bites will itch, maschito bites will itch, spider bites will be painful... Only bat bites not painful not itchy... I can't find another reason for me not to worry, I keep thinking I am the unlucky one, a stealth bat bit me and nobody noticed 😭. I can't eat, cant sleep, this is all too much ...
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
woaidelrey
The thing is....
You have HA :whistles: Seriously, this thread is no different than the thousands of other rabies threads. Some have gone as far as to get the shots and STILL think they're going to die. There's really no way to reassure you as you're too deep in the rabbit hole. I hope you feel better soon!
Positive thoughts
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Not everything needs an explanation. Sometimes things just happen.
The way your thoughts are working right now is equivalent to waking before dawn and panicking because the sun's gone out.
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
How can I feel better? Wait for the next two and half months? I can't live like that :( how do I get out of this rabbit hole? Please help 😭. This is one of my worst episode of HA ever. The fear is just so profound
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
If you really can't cope, it may be worth visiting your healthcare provider. Be sure to make your anxiety the focus of the visit, though.
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BlueIris
The way your thoughts are working right now is equivalent to waking before dawn and panicking because the sun's gone out.
Great analogy
Positive thoughts
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
I'm trying to paint this story to myself to calm myself down:
I saw two pronged bite marks. I'm scared that it might be from a bat, which I did not see the day of the party. I asked my friends to see if saw any bats that night. They also replied no. So basically, I'm scared that a stealthy bat bit me lightly without me feeling anything and got away without anybody noticing. And that bat just happened to bit me, not anybody else at that party, just me, despite a lot of people wearing dresses and shorts as well.
This story sounds a little ridiculous after I write it out, so it kind of calms me down a bit. But then again, I always go back to the CDC stories where ppl don't even know how they were exposed... Are their exposure kind of like mine, but because i have HA, I pay more attention to everything..
I don't wanna worry for the next months, but my perfectionist personality and OCD just don't allow me to calm down fully and I don't know what else to do ...
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
woaidelrey
I came back from the ER parking lot. Didn't go into ER at the end.. price is gonna be too much and I'm not sure about this situaiton..
but this physical pain in my lower legs and forearms are constantly reminding me that I may be the unlucky one...
I am so glad you didn't go in!
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Was wondering if I can get some advices: I don't want to go to ER. But should I go to a trav clinic to receive pre-exposure vaccinations? I read that it starts to give antibodies in 7-10 days. Maybe I should go get it?
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
No, because you didn't get bitten.
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BlueIris
No, because you didn't get bitten.
I'm trying to think rationally. My two marks measures exactly 1cm in width, which is the typical width of a bat bite. It didnt itch or cause pain, so it wasn't porbably from insects or bugs. So should I err on the cautious side and just have the vaccinations, because maybe I really missed the bat or was oblivious when it bit me as bats teeth are so small thay sometimes it leave little trace?
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Awake all night, pretty much convinced I may be the unlucky one... I just went out to a friends gathering and then I got two bite marks that are 1cm apart. Everything just happens so coincidentally that I don't know what to think anymore. I'm so scared and numb right now, its too late to get vaccinations although I still want to get it, cuz maybe it will save me somewhat...
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Sorry to keep bumping this thread.
I think I'm still gonna go to the ER to get the shots. It's too much of a risk because there is just no explanation for two bite marks 1cm apart other than bat bites... This is severely impeding my daily life, i can't even go to work..I'm calling out for work. This fear is all too much, is the king of HA😭
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Just be aware that you're going to have to confront this again next time another scary symptom comes along.
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Again, I'd be surprised if they give them to you based on the scenario.
Positive thoughts
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
It's not even about the symptoms, it's about the unexplained two bite marks. I just want to be on the safe side, just in case.
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
woaidelrey
It's not even about the symptoms, it's about the unexplained two bite marks. I just want to be on the safe side, just in case.
Then do it. You obviously came on here to seek reassurance and it's obvious nothing said will help so.... :shrug:
Positive thoughts
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
woaidelrey
Sorry to keep bumping this thread.
I think I'm still gonna go to the ER to get the shots. It's too much of a risk because there is just no explanation for two bite marks 1cm apart other than bat bites... This is severely impeding my daily life, i can't even go to work..I'm calling out for work. This fear is all too much, is the king of HA
You do realize this is probably going to cost you $10 K out of pocket, unless you have amazing health insurance with low deductibles. Even so, since you had no contact with a bat, insurance might not cover it-- so you will have to lie and say you know a bat bit you or landed on you or whatever. Do you really feel good doing that?
If you are expecting a doctor to look at the bites, and know what bit you, that is not going to happen. No one can look at you and verify what bit you or didn't bite you. Most of the time, we have no choice in life but to accept that we simply can't know. If there was a medical reason to get rabies vaccination after every unknown mark appears on the skin, rabies vaccines for everyone would be routine. The reason rabies vaccine isn't routine is because (1) it is in short supply, so you are potentially taking a dose from someone who had a "true" exposure and (2) the vaccine poses risks, just like an vaccine, and sometimes the side effects are severe. My daughter DID need to get vaccine, for a very weird and bizarre exposure, and the doctors were definitely weighing the risks of rabies in her case versus the risk of debilitating side effects (which is rare, but happens, things like encephalitis, paralysis, Guillan Barre). In her case, she met the CDC guideline so she got the shot. You do not meet it, so you are subjecting yourself to an unknown that is costly and exposes you to risk. Still want to do it?
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
All valid points NervUs but since when does the dragon listen to reason? :shrug:
Positive thoughts
-
Re: Rabies from Bats (real bite marks)
I just don't know what to do. When the fear is so strong, what else can I do to assure myself?? I do have a bite mark- this is something I can't shake off. What should I think? I keep thinking what if it was a bat..what if?? What should I think? 😭 Online everywhere is saying a lot of times you don't even feel a bat biting you because it can be painless ..