Bats and Rabies? If you're a doctor, especially, please answer.?

Question

So yesterday there was a bat in the toilet bowl and I was about to sit down and saw him in there, and he was clawing trying to get out. I felt bad for him, so I used a paper towel and helped him out. He flew around a little and went into the wall (background: I live in a dorm with 18 other boys, it's rustic and wooden). I go to my room and work on the computer for a while, and decide to go to bed. I keep my sheets under my bed, because I don't like to make it. When I pull them out, the bat (the same one?) comes flying out, and flies around the room. I get him out, and go to bed. An hour or so later, I feel this thing on my back -- the bat! I don't know whether he was in the sheets or not, but it sure felt like he was. Anyway, the rest of it is irrelevant, I think. What do you think I should do? Should I go to the doctor? I read a lot of old stuff about bats and rabies... does that all still apply? Should I go see the doctor? I don't want to die from a nervous system disease.... poison, great, but I want my brain up to the end.

Answer 1

Did it bite you? if not then you have nothing to worry about. If it did I would prepare my stomach for some incoming shots.

Answer 2

IF you need rabies shots, today they are completely painless - I had mine in my arm, and whilst chatting to the doctor often had to be told by him - that's it - I just hadn't noticed.

Good luck

Verite R

Answer 3

Where are you located? Ask your college health services department if rabies is endemic in your geographic area or community. Then make an informed educated decision whether to take the shots or not.

Answer 4

Go to the doctor to be safe.   Bat bites often go completely unnoticed.  People tend not to feel them at all in many cases and they leave very tiny bite marks.  Bats are the most common transmitter of rabies to humans along with other types of diseases.   All of that does most definately still apply.

You'll need to see a doctor ASAP.   Tomorrow at the latest.   To determine if you need to get rabies shots.   You'll need to start them soon, really soon after you get bitten for the best success rate, if you did indeed get bitten.