Hi There. I Have Always Had A Horrible Phobia Of

Posted on Wed, 16 Sep 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : Hi there. I have always had a horrible phobia of bats and getting rabies. It has become a major anxiety problem that I’m controlling with meds and therapy however my anxiety was triggered yesterday when I was getting out of my car at night and felt some something on my inner leg. (Probably just in my head) not painful that I remember I did not flinch or scream in pain or anything but my head immediately thought bat bite. I examined the area after and didn’t see any redness irritation bite marks scratch marks or pain but I’m still convinced it could have been a bat that I just never noticed bite me and now I have rabies and will die. I was wondering if you think I would notice if a bat were to bite me while awake and also if I would see infection symptoms like redness pain swelling etc. I can send u a photo of the area

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is no sign of bat at all.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor's service.
I read your query and here is my advice.

I see the photo you attached and the skin is untouched no sign of scratch or bite at all.
I think that if it would have been a bat you may have noticed it approaching to you and also you may have noticed it bitting you.
I don't believe that thereb was a bat bite because there is no sign of a bite at all.
You don't have to worry about rabies at all.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana