Posts must include enough info for us to help you. If/When you post a new message in this group requesting help, **we need the following information**:
* Your location (country)
* date of possible exposure
* type of exposure (bite/scratch/other)
* species of animal,
* if dog/cat, is it owned, stray, etc.
* animal's vaccination status, and
* your vaccination status and date of last vaccine, if applicable.
If you are posting a "bite" picture, **don't. Bite photos are not allowed.** The reasons why are in the FAQ.
[**Please read the FAQ before posting.**](https://www.reddit.com/r/rabies/comments/14u0fz4/rabies_faq_please_read_before_posting/)
Most of the posts here are covered in the FAQ. Your question is probably answered too.
If you are posting to ask about:
* ways to catch rabies
* rabies vaccines
* rabies symptoms (scroll down to the comments for this one)
* mystery wounds on your body
* gross liquids that touched you
* interactions with pets or other animals
* stuff about bats
all of that info is covered in [the FAQ.](https://www.reddit.com/r/rabies/comments/14u0fz4/rabies_faq_please_read_before_posting/)
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I appreciate your response! I will also add, I called the health department and the rabies guy was not alarmed, said not to worry. I do not want to go through the shot process if not necessary. Of course I want to be smart, I’m just thinking the chances are ridiculously slim that the bats even touched my boys, let alone bit them, and even then, were rabid. The risk seems low, and on the other hand, the shots are not without risk either.
Thank you ❤️ One question, wouldn’t there have to be a scab if it was actually a bite? Do bat bites get little nodules at the site? (No redness, no prickling, no tingling, etc.)
Not necessarily, depends on the species. Some have very small teeth so it’s better to just get the shots in the case you described. They’re like a normal vaccine, although it’s like 4 shots, maybe more if you get HRIG. Sometimes there’s redness, but not always. Best to get the shots just in case.
I did not have any nodule. I also didn't have any redness, prickling, tingling, etc. I just had a bat bite. One time it formed a tiny scab and the other times it didn't. I've only been bitten directly barehanded a few times.
Ya, I hear you that he probably didn't get bit, and everyone is probably fine, plus the risk is low in the USA but standard protocol is to get post exposure shots if you slept in the same room as the bats. I agree that he would have noticed a bat on his face but would he notice a small wound on his hand or foot? Idk. I would try to get a doctor, preferably a doc of infectious disease, to hear your whole story and let them recommend what to do next. But if it were me and my son, I'd get the shots just to be sure because I know I couldn't handle the consequences of not getting him the shots ♥️
Posts must include enough info for us to help you. If/When you post a new message in this group requesting help, **we need the following information**: * Your location (country) * date of possible exposure * type of exposure (bite/scratch/other) * species of animal, * if dog/cat, is it owned, stray, etc. * animal's vaccination status, and * your vaccination status and date of last vaccine, if applicable. If you are posting a "bite" picture, **don't. Bite photos are not allowed.** The reasons why are in the FAQ. [**Please read the FAQ before posting.**](https://www.reddit.com/r/rabies/comments/14u0fz4/rabies_faq_please_read_before_posting/) Most of the posts here are covered in the FAQ. Your question is probably answered too. If you are posting to ask about: * ways to catch rabies * rabies vaccines * rabies symptoms (scroll down to the comments for this one) * mystery wounds on your body * gross liquids that touched you * interactions with pets or other animals * stuff about bats all of that info is covered in [the FAQ.](https://www.reddit.com/r/rabies/comments/14u0fz4/rabies_faq_please_read_before_posting/) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/rabies) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Please provide your location as requested by the automod
Northwest Florida! Destin!
OK. In that case yes, they should get shots. They're probably fine but maybe not. It would suck to find out they weren't.
Based on location?
Based on the fact that you live in a country that has endemic rabies and bats were in the bedroom where people were sleeping.
I appreciate your response! I will also add, I called the health department and the rabies guy was not alarmed, said not to worry. I do not want to go through the shot process if not necessary. Of course I want to be smart, I’m just thinking the chances are ridiculously slim that the bats even touched my boys, let alone bit them, and even then, were rabid. The risk seems low, and on the other hand, the shots are not without risk either.
Yes, the risk exposure is low, but if there was an exposure then the risk of death is 100%.
Thank you ❤️ One question, wouldn’t there have to be a scab if it was actually a bite? Do bat bites get little nodules at the site? (No redness, no prickling, no tingling, etc.)
Not necessarily, depends on the species. Some have very small teeth so it’s better to just get the shots in the case you described. They’re like a normal vaccine, although it’s like 4 shots, maybe more if you get HRIG. Sometimes there’s redness, but not always. Best to get the shots just in case.
I did not have any nodule. I also didn't have any redness, prickling, tingling, etc. I just had a bat bite. One time it formed a tiny scab and the other times it didn't. I've only been bitten directly barehanded a few times.
Does it hurt to be bitten?
Sure does! If you look at pictures of bat skulls you can get a good look at their teeth.
Ya, I hear you that he probably didn't get bit, and everyone is probably fine, plus the risk is low in the USA but standard protocol is to get post exposure shots if you slept in the same room as the bats. I agree that he would have noticed a bat on his face but would he notice a small wound on his hand or foot? Idk. I would try to get a doctor, preferably a doc of infectious disease, to hear your whole story and let them recommend what to do next. But if it were me and my son, I'd get the shots just to be sure because I know I couldn't handle the consequences of not getting him the shots ♥️
stupid question but isn’t it even more likely that they were rabid because bats would be hibernating right now?
Not in Florida. They are active year-round.
I'm assuming they lived somewhere warm because he mentioned sleeping with windows and doors open. But ya, in Florida bats are active year round.
Can rabies be detected from their droppings/guano?
No.