I am convincing myself that I might have contracted rabies.

[SkeletonClique01]

Nothing has bitten me. I feel so stupid when writing this, but I have extreme fear of getting rabies from anything. anything like food, cups, bathroom sink, fruit, soap, my phone, shoes, things that my vaccinated dog might have licked, etc. I have lost 22 pounds because of worrying. I only slept for 3 hours today. I am still a young person who lives with his parents and I am scared to tell them that I have this fear, because they will think I am crazy. I keep thinking that I am getting exposed to rabies every day. For example yesterday I touched my slippers that I used in public swimming pool. slippers were still wet so I kept thinking there could be rabies virus on it somehow. Also yesterday while drinking water, water droplets dripped from the cup and fell in my cuts. I keep thinking that rabies could have somehow gotten in that cup. I sound so stupid. It sounds so ridiculous. I can't believe how I changed.

 

[Iugrad91]

Casual contact, even with someone that has rabies, has never caused an infection. You need to come into direct contact with the virus and it doesn’t live long on surfaces or non-living things. Only 5,000 cases are reported each year with 300mil people living in the US. Most came from wildlife encounters. The chance of being exposed is extremely low if you don’t get directly bitten by a rabid animal.

 

[E.B]

As someone who has dealt with this phobia i sympathize with you but also feel 100 percent confident in telling you you will not get rabies through casual contact. I would recommend that if you have a decent relationship with your parents, tell them, and they can look for counseling. I had anxiety as a child in my teens and had counseling etc.

 

[SkeletonClique01]

I had anxiety as a child in my teens and had counseling etc.

How long did it take for you to beat contamination fear? I have chapped lips and hands and that's why I am worried. I am worried that the virus might somehow get into body via chapped skin.

 

[E.B]

Honestly with myself it seemed the worry just had to run its course. I also was put on med which im assuming helped. Every one is different however.

 

[Jessco11]

You need to tell your parents. Or a friend. Tell someone close to you. You will feel like less of a burden, you will feel safer, you will feel more grounded. Good luck.

 

[KertzHealth]

You're not correct, rabies cases in America are near less than 3 people. Though, if you're talking about the ones that have the virus and treated with PEP, then yes you're correct. Other than that, the disease is not a thing that people should often worry about in North America/Europe.

 

[Iugrad91]

Then it’s even more rare for anyone to contract it. I think the number I found may have been people treated because of contact, not those that actually got rabies.

 

[Matticus1983]

I know this doesn't help but you've got about a 98-99% chance of never catching rabies, even from an animal.

 

[FlipperK]

You really need to see a psychiatrist and a therapist ASAP. Losing weight is a red flag that this fear is impacting your daily life, and in a very bad way.

Right now, your emotions are overriding your rational thinking... No rational answers on here are going to over power your irrational thoughts and emotions. You need to get on the right medication and get direct one on one counseling through therapy.

I just went through this myself, not with rabies this time (I did have a rabies fear many years ago), lost weight... not functional at all in my daily life. Pushed my marriage to the breaking point. Etc.

I am going through an IOP program now along with a personal therapist and psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will make sure your medication is on point to control your emotions and the therapist will help your irrational thinking and provide you tools to handle your anxiety.


I just made a post about ways to cope with anxiety, you should read it and practice until you can see someone.

Link: https://www.anxietycommunity.com/index.php?threads/things-i-learned-today-in-iop.10136/