Bats and rabies fear

[BIM]

Hi, I’m new here, but wanted to get all this out because it is consuming me.
On 6/30 I noticed a linear bite mark, 1/4” wide. I thought maybe it was a spider and brushed it off. On 7/4 we had a bat fly into our house, got it out, didn’t think much off it as we live in a heavily forested area. Then on 7/14 and 7/15 we found a bat in our house (one each day), they looked to be silver haired. On 7/16 my MIL said she read where we should get the rabies vaccine. I took myself and my kids to get them on 7/17.

We had a bat remover come out to inspect our house and found out we have 100s in our roof and uncapped chimney. He had us duct tape around the fireplace at the vents and the opening.

We had a couple of bat free days and then on 7/23 we found two (not sure what kind these were) we decided to leave our house and stay elsewhere until the exclusion was done. When we returned home to pick up additional belongings we found 3 more.

The place we were staying needed us to vacate since they had renters coming and on the day back (8/1) I found one on the window sill of our bedroom which had the door closed. We went to stay with family for a week and had been bat free but went into the basement on 8/21 for the first time since being home and found one in the sliding glass door track, then the next day I found another in the basement again, my husband said these two were dead. A total of 11.

even though we completed our shots on 7/31 (with HRIG, but possible incorrectly done in the glutes rather than the possible bite site) I am scared. I’ve talked to numerous doctors, local public health, on call nurses, and went to my dr to get basic labs and a basic check up and was given a daily anxiety medication to take (Zoloft) but haven’t started it yet.
I know the failure rate is very low world wide and no failures in North America, but I can’t shake it.
Thanks for reading.

 

[MB1216]

Omg I hate rabies anxiety. It's my latest ans worst. But you had the shots so should be good! And it's been 6 weeks. How were the shots? Any side effects? I'm debating although I didn't see bat or bite but had something touch my head at dusk.

I would have no concern since you just had shots but that's a ton of bats. Ewww
I'm talking to psych Monday and want meds too. Do only anxious people worry about these things?!

 

[BIM]

Omg I hate rabies anxiety. It's my latest ans worst. But you had the shots so should be good! And it's been 6 weeks. How were the shots? Any side effects? I'm debating although I didn't see bat or bite but had something touch my head at dusk.

I would have no concern since you just had shots but that's a ton of bats. Ewww
I'm talking to psych Monday and want meds too. Do only anxious people worry about these things?!

The shots are given in your upper arm and hurt no more than any other vaccine. It does cause some body aches and flu like symptoms, but resolved within a week or so after the shot series is complete.
I think you’re ok, bats acting normal outside are 99% fine.
Hope your appointment goes well Monday.

 

[MB1216]

Thanks. But not sure if hitting my head is normal behavior. Anyways, why did they give you shots in the glutes? Did you inquire if that's a problem. I'm sorry you're dealing with this that's a lot of bats. I def don't think you will get rabies but feel for you. It's so scary!

 

[Joshua1]

We had a bat remover come out to inspect our house and found out we have 100s in our roof and uncapped chimney. He had us duct tape around the fireplace at the vents and the opening.

Oh my word. I would freak out if i just saw one. That sounds disgusting, The bat remover is a brave man, much braver then me. Bats are like flying rats. They are exactly the same in how they affect human beings and illnesses they carry. They say Covid19 came from a bat. I can see why you are worried. I do think that its treatable. Just see the doctor about it.

 

[BIM]

Oh my word. I would freak out if i just saw one. That sounds disgusting, The bat remover is a brave man, much braver then me. Bats are like flying rats. They are exactly the same in how they affect human beings and illnesses they carry. They say Covid19 came from a bat. I can see why you are worried. I do think that its treatable. Just see the doctor about it.

I received the vaccine series which has never failed in the US, so I’m hopeful, but there is that nagging feeling in the back of my mind thinking it could fail.

 

[EvaC]

Hi, I’m new here, but wanted to get all this out because it is consuming me.
On 6/30 I noticed a linear bite mark, 1/4” wide. I thought maybe it was a spider and brushed it off. On 7/4 we had a bat fly into our house, got it out, didn’t think much off it as we live in a heavily forested area. Then on 7/14 and 7/15 we found a bat in our house (one each day), they looked to be silver haired. On 7/16 my MIL said she read where we should get the rabies vaccine. I took myself and my kids to get them on 7/17.

We had a bat remover come out to inspect our house and found out we have 100s in our roof and uncapped chimney. He had us duct tape around the fireplace at the vents and the opening.

We had a couple of bat free days and then on 7/23 we found two (not sure what kind these were) we decided to leave our house and stay elsewhere until the exclusion was done. When we returned home to pick up additional belongings we found 3 more.

The place we were staying needed us to vacate since they had renters coming and on the day back (8/1) I found one on the window sill of our bedroom which had the door closed. We went to stay with family for a week and had been bat free but went into the basement on 8/21 for the first time since being home and found one in the sliding glass door track, then the next day I found another in the basement again, my husband said these two were dead. A total of 11.

even though we completed our shots on 7/31 (with HRIG, but possible incorrectly done in the glutes rather than the possible bite site) I am scared. I’ve talked to numerous doctors, local public health, on call nurses, and went to my dr to get basic labs and a basic check up and was given a daily anxiety medication to take (Zoloft) but haven’t started it yet.
I know the failure rate is very low world wide and no failures in North America, but I can’t shake it.
Thanks for reading.

 

[EvaC]

HI there - I read your post. I am sorry you are going through this. I have had a lot of anxiety about a similar exposure experience, although I never actually saw a bat but there were two punctures a little less than a centimeter apart... I became concerned when I read that many rabies victims were unaware of how they were exposed but it was traced to a bat variant. I live out in the country where there are a lot of bats. To make a long story short, I went to the ER... I was laughed at and dismissed because I never actually saw a bat... I went again a few days later, and again they tried to downplay my concerns. Finally, I insisted that they give me PEP, which a nurse administered. As in your situation, I realized, after further research, that she administered the HRIG wrong. Instead of around the wound site, half was injected into my deltoid above the wound site and the remainder in my thigh muscle. This has caused me tremendous anxiety and concern as I worried the PEP is ineffective now. Can you provide me with more details about how the HRIG was administered in your family's case?

 

[BIM]

HI there - I read your post. I am sorry you are going through this. I have had a lot of anxiety about a similar exposure experience, although I never actually saw a bat but there were two punctures a little less than a centimeter apart... I became concerned when I read that many rabies victims were unaware of how they were exposed but it was traced to a bat variant. I live out in the country where there are a lot of bats. To make a long story short, I went to the ER... I was laughed at and dismissed because I never actually saw a bat... I went again a few days later, and again they tried to downplay my concerns. Finally, I insisted that they give me PEP, which a nurse administered. As in your situation, I realized, after further research, that she administered the HRIG wrong. Instead of around the wound site, half was injected into my deltoid above the wound site and the remainder in my thigh muscle. This has caused me tremendous anxiety and concern as I worried the PEP is ineffective now. Can you provide me with more details about how the HRIG was administered in your family's case?

Hi, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I also live in a very rural area and have read all about how some bats will bite without you ever knowing, it’s typically the silver haired and tricolor, we have had a silver hair in our house, so that’s a major concern for me and I know what you’re feeling.

As for the PEP, I had my bite site circled, but they gave me two shots of HRIG in each glute which is not recommended because they've found the area doesn’t properly absorb the immunoglobulin.
My kids had their shots injected into their thighs, my baby had a possible bite on his knee, but also got it in the thigh.
I’ve read that the HRIG is acceptable to be injected into the thighs, so it’s a relief to know that you (and my kids) at least had some of those immediate antibodies! As for the vaccines, it takes about two weeks for full immunity, the immunoglobulin is passive. My understanding is that if you get your whole series on schedule you are very well protected.
How long after your possible bites did you get your PEP? Incubation is typically 2-3 months (or more) for bat bites, children tend to have a short incubation period.

 

[EvaC]

I got the PEP on the fifth day. I went the fourth day but the ER doc sort of ridiculed me and didn't encourage getting vaccinated. I was so concerned and confused that I didn't argue with him, but after I had a telemedicine appointment with another doctor, I decided to go back on the fifth day to the emergency room. They still didn't want to give me PEP and my daughter demanded it to put my mind at ease. But they did it wrong so my mind still isn't at ease. I was so stressed out about the entire experience that I contacted an infectious disease specialist... I asked her if it would be beneficial to get a fifth dose of vaccine (on Day 28) since they administered the HRIG wrong. She agreed to this to help ease my worries... I also asked to have a blood titer done. On the morning of Day 28 (before I had the fifth vaccine dose) I had my blood drawn. I got the results about three weeks later and my antibodies were above the recommended thresh hold. I remain very concerned, however, since they didn't inject the HRIG around the bite site and both CDC and WHO and everyone else recommend this. I wish I had done more research beforehand...I would have demanded that the HRIG be administered correctly. Did you ever discuss this with your doctors -- about the way they administered the HRIG? Did you take a pic of your suspected bite? I have done way too much research on the internet about this... too much disturbing information.

HI there - I read your post. I am sorry you are going through this. I have had a lot of anxiety about a similar exposure experience, although I never actually saw a bat but there were two punctures a little less than a centimeter apart... I became concerned when I read that many rabies victims were unaware of how they were exposed but it was traced to a bat variant. I live out in the country where there are a lot of bats. To make a long story short, I went to the ER... I was laughed at and dismissed because I never actually saw a bat... I went again a few days later, and again they tried to downplay my concerns. Finally, I insisted that they give me PEP, which a nurse administered. As in your situation, I realized, after further research, that she administered the HRIG wrong. Instead of around the wound site, half was injected into my deltoid above the wound site and the remainder in my thigh muscle. This has caused me tremendous anxiety and concern as I worried the PEP is ineffective now. Can you provide me with more details about how the HRIG was administered in your family's case?

PS - I am really sorry about your anxiety. I have started counseling due to my anxiety. Is there a way to PM you on this site?

I got the PEP on the fifth day. I went the fourth day but the ER doc sort of ridiculed me and didn't encourage getting vaccinated. I was so concerned and confused that I didn't argue with him, but after I had a telemedicine appointment with another doctor, I decided to go back on the fifth day to the emergency room. They still didn't want to give me PEP and my daughter demanded it to put my mind at ease. But they did it wrong so my mind still isn't at ease. I was so stressed out about the entire experience that I contacted an infectious disease specialist... I asked her if it would be beneficial to get a fifth dose of vaccine (on Day 28) since they administered the HRIG wrong. She agreed to this to help ease my worries... I also asked to have a blood titer done. On the morning of Day 28 (before I had the fifth vaccine dose) I had my blood drawn. I got the results about three weeks later and my antibodies were above the recommended thresh hold. I remain very concerned, however, since they didn't inject the HRIG around the bite site and both CDC and WHO and everyone else recommend this. I wish I had done more research beforehand...I would have demanded that the HRIG be administered correctly. Did you ever discuss this with your doctors -- about the way they administered the HRIG? Did you take a pic of your suspected bite? I have done way too much research on the internet about this... too much disturbing information.

PS - I am really sorry about your anxiety. I have started counseling due to my anxiety. Is there a way to PM you on this site?

PPS - Another question regarding the dead bats you found in your basement - Did you take them to the Public Health Department to be tested for rabies?

 

[MB1216]

Eva- this doesn't sound worrisome at all because your titers are fine. Why didn't the doctor's want to do the PEP anyways? They didn't think it looked like a bite? I didn't see a bat or a bite really, just felt something touch my head/scalp at dusk on my street filled with bats, so I am currently anxious about rabies. But I didn't get the shots because I figured I would then worry about side effects or some other issue, but gotta say, the anxiety is killing me and sometimes wondering why I don't get them to get rid of the anxiety. Your situation sounds totally fine though. It clearly worked if your antibodies are there. I don't think anything else you can do now. What made you think it was a bat bite?

 

[Aries]

I like bats. But not that many! White nose syndrome has killed many off and I don't see them much anymore. Except at the lab where I work - the microbiologists test them for rabies all the time. They get rabies vaccinations. And none of them have ever gotten rabies.

 

[BIM]

I got the PEP on the fifth day. I went the fourth day but the ER doc sort of ridiculed me and didn't encourage getting vaccinated. I was so concerned and confused that I didn't argue with him, but after I had a telemedicine appointment with another doctor, I decided to go back on the fifth day to the emergency room. They still didn't want to give me PEP and my daughter demanded it to put my mind at ease. But they did it wrong so my mind still isn't at ease. I was so stressed out about the entire experience that I contacted an infectious disease specialist... I asked her if it would be beneficial to get a fifth dose of vaccine (on Day 28) since they administered the HRIG wrong. She agreed to this to help ease my worries... I also asked to have a blood titer done. On the morning of Day 28 (before I had the fifth vaccine dose) I had my blood drawn. I got the results about three weeks later and my antibodies were above the recommended thresh hold. I remain very concerned, however, since they didn't inject the HRIG around the bite site and both CDC and WHO and everyone else recommend this. I wish I had done more research beforehand...I would have demanded that the HRIG be administered correctly. Did you ever discuss this with your doctors -- about the way they administered the HRIG? Did you take a pic of your suspected bite? I have done way too much research on the internet about this... too much disturbing information.

PS - I am really sorry about your anxiety. I have started counseling due to my anxiety. Is there a way to PM you on this site?

PPS - Another question regarding the dead bats you found in your basement - Did you take them to the Public Health Department to be tested for rabies?

I like bats. But not that many! White nose syndrome has killed many off and I don't see them much anymore. Except at the lab where I work - the microbiologists test them for rabies all the time. They get rabies vaccinations. And none of them have ever gotten rabies.

That is reassuring.
We honestly didn’t mind them until they got into the house! I know they’re valuable for the ecosystem and it’s nice not to worry about mosquitoes, but unfortunately they didn’t keep their distance.

 

[Aries]

A few years ago at the opera a bat was flying around and at the end of the first act it flew right into the baritone's face while he was singing his big aria. He didn't miss a note. And he didn't get rabies.

 

[EvaC]

Eva- this doesn't sound worrisome at all because your titers are fine. Why didn't the doctor's want to do the PEP anyways? They didn't think it looked like a bite? I didn't see a bat or a bite really, just felt something touch my head/scalp at dusk on my street filled with bats, so I am currently anxious about rabies. But I didn't get the shots because I figured I would then worry about side effects or some other issue, but gotta say, the anxiety is killing me and sometimes wondering why I don't get them to get rid of the anxiety. Your situation sounds totally fine though. It clearly worked if your antibodies are there. I don't think anything else you can do now. What made you think it was a bat bite?

I think he didn't want to do the PEP because I told him I never saw a bat. To me, it looked like images of bat bites I had seen on the internet, but once I told him I never actually saw a bat, he stopped taking me seriously. My primary concern is that they didn't administer the human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) correctly. It's suppose to be infiltrated around the wound site to provide immediate protection. My titers were high from the vaccine but high titers do not show up immediately. It's the HRIG that provides the immediate protection, from every study I have read.

 

[MB1216]

So what are your options then now? Are you considering more vaccines? Where was your bite?

 

[EvaC]

I had five vaccines.. which is above the recommended four. The marks were on my wrist.

 

[MB1216]

So you are fine then! Do you have a picture of the bite? If you didn't see a bat, still got vaccine, had an extra vaccine and you have antibodies this sounds like a non issue. I'm jealous at this point! This is all anxiety. I say that kindly cause I suffer too but you need to not let your anxiety stop you from thinking rationally. Is there anything else you could even do to make yourself feel better?

 

[EvaC]

I do have an image of the bite. I may post it here. It does cause me a lot of anxiety to look at it. What helps with my anxiety is trying not to think about the episode and seeking counseling. I also joined this forum. But I’m not sure it’s helpful to continue rehashing everything on this forum. How about you? Are you just generally anxious or is it due to this bat encounter you had?

 

[BIM]

So you are fine then! Do you have a picture of the bite? If you didn't see a bat, still got vaccine, had an extra vaccine and you have antibodies this sounds like a non issue. I'm jealous at this point! This is all anxiety. I say that kindly cause I suffer too but you need to not let your anxiety stop you from thinking rationally. Is there anything else you could even do to make yourself feel better?

I do have an image of the bite. I may post it here. It does cause me a lot of anxiety to look at it. What helps with my anxiety is trying not to think about the episode and seeking counseling. I also joined this forum. But I’m not sure it’s helpful to continue rehashing everything on this forum. How about you? Are you just generally anxious or is it due to this bat encounter you had?

I didn't want this to become a place where you have to prove yourself, this is a very distressing situation and we all have been though enough. I wanted to create a place that people can come and express their concerns not have to justify their feelings.