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Would I Need A Rabies Vaccine After A Bat Flies Close By Me A Couple Of Times?

Posted on Tue, 18 Jan 2022

Question: I was in an attic the other day and had a bat fly by me twice. I never felt the bat touch me or bite me but I was in a narrow area about 5 feet wide.

I don't think I need the rabies vaccine but I have several people that told me I should get it. It seems like as long as I didn't feel contact with the bat, I should be fine. I'm in Macomb County, Michigan and there have been 0 rabid bats tested so far. There have been a few in surrounding counties.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have reviewed your information fully. If it were this easy to catch rabies, then the entire nation would have been affected without exception. There is no need to worry and you need no testing or vaccination for this specific encounter.

However, if you wish to get vaccinated, I encourage you to do so at your earliest convenience if you have never been vaccinated before.

I wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (2 hours later)

Dr. Ivo Ditah,

Thanks for response. Everyone kept saying I wouldn't necessarily feel a bat bite/scratch but from what I've read they tend to avoid contact unless provoked and it seems like most bat handlers say the bites are definitely painful.

Thanks for the reassurance!

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome!

Detailed Answer:
HI,

Let people not push you into panic mood when there is truly nothing to bother about. Be relaxed and calm.

I wish you well.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar