I have intense rabies fear and I have been vaccinated before.

[say22]

Hello All,

I am currently living through enormous anxiety and fear of rabies. Two years ago in June, I was touched by a bat near a train station. I went to the ER and the doctor decided to vaccinate me. I took both immuno-globulin and vaccines has recommended by the doctors. Since then I have developed an intense fear of rabies, even while walking I keep my head down, I keep thinking what if a bat with rabies drops its saliva in my eye. The worst happened two days ago when I was walking with a friend and we tried opening his garage doors and a bar flew over my head almost 4-5 feet high. From that moment I've been more scared, I keep thinking that a tiny drop of saliva probably went into my eye. I am sure if I go to the doctors they are not going to vaccinate me again, especially because there was no contact. I also try convincing myself about the vaccine that I took 2 years ago, but then I keep getting the thought that the vaccine might have worn off. I live alone in the United States, I am an immigrant here and my family lives in a foreign country. I've a deep fear of dying alone.

 

[bigjetplane6]

Anxiety is the worst isn’t it?
We all have these irrational fears that just doesn’t make sense. We make scenarios and keep replaying them in our head and we convince ourself that it actually happened in real life.
I suffer from HA so I know the feeling.
Take a deep breathe and repeat to yourself over and over “I am ok, this is just anxiety talking”.
Don’t worry, I can assure you that you’re fine.

 

[Belizz]

I totally understand how you feel. First off I do live in a foreign country alone and went through a trauma and was separated from my ex. Now fear of dying alone became stronger and I already had healrh anxiety to begin with.

Second I went through rabies fear long time ago and vaccinated, got a reasonable fear because I got scratched by a stray cat. During that 30-45 days of hell, I was told many times by doctors and 2 vet friends that you don't get the virus so easy. Direct contact of saliva is needed, and an open wound.

I think you have very low chances of getting it, because you would notice if you had a saliva drop in your eye. You eye's auto reflex would react and blink even though you didn't notice the drop.

To reassure yourself and to be on safe side contact a Dr, they will tell you what to do. Trust the Dr, they wouldn't mess with rabies.
But I am pretty sure you are fine.

 

[Joshua1]

I've a deep fear of dying alone.

If you have a fear of dying alone, go out there and socialise. Break out of your insecurities work on having good, sustainable relationships. Good luck.

 

[MB1216]

I am surprised getting vaccinated didn't relieve your fears. I think it lasts for awhile. I am currently stressed about rabies but haven't gotten shots and probably won't. That makes me think it's definitely anxiety of course if this keeps happening. Did the bat in the train station trigger this?

 

[bin_tenn]

I am surprised getting vaccinated didn't relieve your fears.

I don't find that surprising at all, because that's a classic behavior of health anxiety. All the tests in the world don't completely satisfy us and quell the fears for good.

 

[MB1216]

I don't find that surprising at all, because that's a classic behavior of health anxiety. All the tests in the world don't completely satisfy us and quell the fears for good.

Yeah good point, but I thought it lasted for awhile ( the shot) so would have thought the rabies fear would subside and then no doubt a new one would emerge... if I am thinking of myself I mean!

 

[bin_tenn]

Yeah good point, but I thought it lasted for awhile ( the shot) so would have thought the rabies fear would subside and then no doubt a new one would emerge... if I am thinking of myself I mean!

It does work that way for some people, but for others it seems that tests have no effect on anxiety, even temporarily.