Bitten by bat - rabies??

[jules321]

I was just out on a walk with my family at dusk when it was almost dark. I felt something smack me in the back of my head. I was wearing a wool hat. I yelped loudly. My family looked at me immediately when I yelled and saw nothing fly away. I have a well-known bat phobia. I am terrified it was a bat and that it could have bitten/scratched me so I’ll get rabies and die. Should I go to hospital to ask about a rabies vaccine? I do NOT want the vax unless needed. I'm so scared.

[Button1]

Do you have a bite/ scratch mark?

[jules321]

No way to know - I was wearing a wool knit hat, and I have a ton of hair. Husband looked through my hair/scalp and couldn’t see anything but would be easy to miss. I have no idea if it was something alive that hit me or a falling branch or acorn etc. I also took a shower and nothing on my head stung in the hot water

[Button1]

I can understand your fear but especially if no one saw anything fly away I’d imagine the most logical explanation is that something fell on you. If you had a bite you’d be able to feel that still even if you can’t see it? I’d speak to a doctor but it sounds seriously unlikely that you’ve been bitten and obviously from our end we can’t really tell you anything! I can only say that I’d HIGHLY highly doubt you’re at risk here x

[nomorepanic]

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

[jules321]

Admins - so sorry, I did not realize there was a rabies-specific forum until after I posted, thank you for merging!

I am still a mess today. I called our public health last night who said it would be highly unlikely to get hit by a bat much less bitten by one through my wool hat and hair. They did not feel I needed the vax series but could not tell me that officially and instructed me to talk to my doctor. I have a doc appointment tomorrow. I feel like a mess though. There are real health struggles in my family, and I feel like a jerk making a fuss over something that might not be real - but it feels so real, and I don't want to be wrong on this one since it's fatal you know? Please tell me if I'm overreacting and need to let it go - or if I should get the vax series (which I really don't want to get unless absolutely necessary based on past bad reactions to vax and immune issues).