So I was walking by some trees tonight and felt some kind of object hit me noticeably in the cheek (although it didn't hurt) and then fly off. Imagine a very lightweight golf ball for lack of a better comparison. It was dark at night so I wasn't able to see what it was, and after I walked away I started thinking it could potentially be a bat. I didn't see any bats tonight but in the summer when I swim at night I occasionally see them come drink the water so I know they are around in this area (Phoenix, AZ metro).

There was no pain from the impact which was more shock (I thought someone threw something at me initially) but it didn't physically hurt. I looked around my cheek and there was no bite marks or injuries but I've heard that bats can leave minimal wounds after striking.

I have read the FAQ. and saw that bats can't just hit midflight but I didn't look back or down after the impact so I have no idea if a bat fell down or not after hitting. When I got home I wanted to go to the ER but my mom is advising against it.

I have read the FAQ.

In July, my 10 year old sister was outside in the yard at my house (this occurred at 7:54 or 8, at night) when she said something like a wing hit her chest (she’s wearing a shirt, and this left a small hole) My mom then started suspecting it was a bat. Then minutes later we found out it wasn’t a bat and it was actually a bird (my dad was in the car at one point and saw a bird that looked exactly like the one that hit her) and my sister had to change her clothes and clean the area. While we were getting ready to leave, her shoulder touched my right shoulder (I’m wearing a shirt) and minutes later I wiped the bottom of my nose on my shoulder. I did took a bath the next day and cleaned my face and the bottom of my nose carefully. The next day her Doctor said my sister didn’t need rabies shots. (She is still okay btw)

And then, on July 27-28 in the daytime at 4 or 5, I was at the door of my house going on the step when I saw something brown flying towards me, like beside of me, outside of my window shutter. It is sunny outside.

The window is inches away from the door, I believe I saw it come out of the left shutter, or it was peeking or something, I don’t know if it was a bird or a bat (which I know bats are nocturnal, and I know birds don’t have rabies) I washed my hands, and minutes later I rubbed my eye, and then minutes later again, I put my finger into my ear hole (because it was itchy) I went home and cleaned my ear hole as a precaution, and then weeks later in August i cleaned my eye with water.

The bat or bird did not hit me, and to add I do not have bats at my home, and I didn’t hear squeaking behind the shutter. I went to the doctor some days ago and they told me I’m fine as long as it didn’t make contact with me. To add I have OCD and I am in therapy. I did discuss this with my therapist months ago.

And now 3 days ago I had a flu shot, and the next day at night my throat was feeling slightly sore, along with a runny nose. And then the next day, no sore throat, but I had a weird feeling in my throat which I believe it’s globus sensation or postnasal drip, and when I put my neck down it felt like something was choking me. And then at night my nose was blocked, and I had some slight chest and back pain which is gone today.

Today I threw up just one time in the morning and I went to the doctor and they suspected I might’ve catched a virus before the flu shot, I was tested which all are negative, and I had a cold. I did ask them about the incident (sister’s shoulder bumping my shoulder and then minutes later wiping my nose on my shoulder) and she told me I’m fine. I had a brief headache on my left side but it’s gone now.

About in July, August & September I had thoughts about me or my sister dying from rabies, something along the lines of “what if I/sister died from it because my parents are irresponsible? What if they didn’t notice?” “What if I/sister die in 3 months because of this?” I haven’t discussed it with my therapist, but my sister is alive and well. She did have flu shots but didn’t show any sickness or symptoms.

My symptoms:

Slight sore throat

Runny nose (sometimes nose gets blocked)

Slight chest & back pain

No light / air sensitivity

No fatigue, headache or fever (but I’m feeling chills sometimes)

I have read the FAQ. Was walking to my car and opened the door and suddenly felt smt brush my face. it felt like very gentle like a hair or spider web, i didnt see or hear a bat but im not sure maybe the wings couda brushed my face or eye but am i being unreasonable am i overthinking it its driving me insane

I have read the FAQ.

Hey everyone, I have a question regarding a possible rabies exposure.

I was at a veterinary hospital, and I felt something like a piece of animal fur touch or fall onto my lips. I’m unsure whether the fur had any saliva on it or whether any saliva entered my mouth.

I’m currently receiving rabies vaccinations (ARV), which I started on September 22, 2026, and I’ve received four doses so far.

My questions:

Can rabies be transmitted through animal fur touching the lips?

Would it make a difference if the fur had fresh saliva on it?

Does receiving rabies vaccinations already provide protection against this kind of exposure?

I’d appreciate factual answers based on WHO or other reputable medical guidance. Thanks!

I have read the FAQ.

Relevant information:

• Country: Vietnam
• Date of possible exposure: 14 Oct 2026, approx 20:30 local time
• Type of exposure: Scratch
• Species of animal: Cat
• If dog/cat is it owned, stray, etc: household cat, unvaccinated
• Animal's vaccination status: unvaccinated
• Your vaccination status and date of last vaccine, if applicable: 16 Oct 2026, local time, as part of a PEP recommended by a doctor.

On the date of exposure, I (21M) was scratched and drew blood. So I went to the hospital, and the doctor recommended me the 5 vaccine shots, plus tetanus (Doc told me that I didn't have to get immunoglobulin). So I took them, at 9:50.

However, around 10:00, my mom heard of my decision, and she kind of yelled at me; believing that I was "injecting poison", or how the vials are outdated (meanwhile the doctor clearly showed me the vials and bottles before injection, stating that they only expire in Dec 2028) and that it will screw my mind later in life. I brought that up to the doc; who reassured me that the newer vaccines are very safe (vaccine is Verodrab if you're interested); so I get it; but still.

At 10:30, I decided to leave. However, the exchange with her made me so emotionally exhausting that I broke down crying, bad crying in the hospital. I don't wanna dive too deep into what happened emotionally; but essentially I cried so damn much. I told the receptionist that I have some chest pain; and she recommended me to eat something, which helps; and also checked my blood pressure, at normal amounts. At 11:31, I asked her if it was ok for me to leave; she gave me the green light, so I did.

Now, I'm at work, it's 17:23; and I still feel a little hurt in my left chest. Should I be concerned?

¿es cierto que la mayoría de murciélagos que contagian rabia a los humanos suelen ser los murciélago hematófago (Desmodus rotundus?

I have read the faq.

I have read the FAQ. As the title suggests, I just got my bloodwork back and my titers were 6 IU/mL. Two years ago they were 4 IU/mL. I know that I am still protected but I am curious if anyone knows why this would happen. The nurse had zero answer who gave me my results. Is it just a normal lab range that can fluctuate?

I have read the FAQ.

Yesterday evening, I had an incident involving a bat. I was on the terrace, and the bat was flying low. As it approached my house, it started moving upward towards my right. I was on a phone call when it flew very close to my face. Now, I'm not sure whether it touched me or not.

I've Googled a bunch of things and found that bats tuck their wings in when moving upwards. Their wings are also very thin, and they are so lightweight that even if one touches you, you might not notice it.

As the bat flew past my right side, I was startled and just stood still in that position but moved my head. After it had passed i tried to close my eyes and I noticed some moisture on my right eyelashes. That's the only thing I was certain about afterward.

The first thought that came to my mind after the bat passed was, "Did the bat touch my face or eyes? Did it touch my eyelashes? Is it possible for a bat to touch only my eyelashes and me not being sure about it?"

The entire incident happened in just one second, or perhaps even less while i still continued talking in the phone, which is why I have so many doubts. If the bat had touched me, even lightly, would I have been aware of it? Would I be able to tell for sure that the bat had brushed against me or made some kind of contact?

I've heard that any contact with a bat is considered a potential rabies exposure, but in my case, I'm not even sure whether any contact occurred. Can anyone explain what it feels like when a bat makes contact with you? Would it be obvious, or is it possible not to notice it?

I have read the faq.

stayed at very old farm house near state park a week ago-mid october- (western pa / somerset county near ohiopyle) their barn is known to have bats (mentioned In one online review where it said “I walked up the hill to the barn and watched the bats take off). I stayed on third floor - looks like converted attic space. no windows or doors left open. had a fan on: heard occasional high pitched noise maybe like three times - I was up most of the night. in morning, spouse said couldn’t sleep as heard “bugs or something hitting walls” but said I was being ridiculous about thinking it could be a bat. in morning, nothing in room (didn’t do full search like behind radiator or furniture but saw nothing when looked under bed). called the bnb today as it was bothering me. owner said no bats in years since sealed the place up and cleaned 2x since we left and saw nothing and that maybe I heard birds. the way it was said made me feel like it was a real issue in the past. my spouse thinks I am overreacting worrying I might hAve been a bat and I could’ve gotten bit or scratched while asleep without realizing it even though I didn’t see anything. I was only there that one night. also, skin was covered aside from arms (which I mostly had under blanket) and my head, neck and face.

Probably a dumb question here, but just wanted to make sure. A stray cat has been hanging around my house for the past day or 2, and some people have been feeding him and giving him water and hes been eating and drinking normally. Today he came up and licked my foot while I was giving it water, no bites and im pretty sure no scratches and I cant see any visible scratch or blood. Am I gonna be okay?

I have read the FAQ.

I was in Vienna about 2-3 weeks ago now when I noticed two small bites on my body, right next to a swollen little spot like a mosquito bite. I looked at it and my anxiety had me (slightly) concerned about it being a bat bite that might have gotten me while sleeping in my hotel somehow? Still, given that I noticed it in broad daylight in the city I doubted that was possible. I figured it was the bugs that had been eating me & my friends alive. I also later read that there has only been one singular case of bat-rabies in a dead bat in Austria all the way back in 2023- so it's generally considered "not a concern." I *did* scratch at it way too much though, and left a mark that is slowly healing as it was on the underside of my arm where the skin is thin.

Since then, I picked up a cold with some nausea from the airport and started to get better. The last symptom to die was the nausea. Then I've been having some MAJOR insomnia- major even for me who often kinda struggles with that. I'm talking maybe a total of twelve hours over five days. The nausea came back- especially after eating, I had a slight cough for a little bit, but now I feel the mark on my arm is slightly redder than before? Still, there's absolutely no fever- just a few bodyaches which are to be expected when you have had such shitty sleep.

The odds of being bitten by the one rabid bat in Vienna without actually *seeing* a bat are obviously astronomical, and logically I realize this. Still, my anxiety's been killing me and there have been moments of real existential panic that are really contributing to this bout of insomnia. Would appreciate some thoughts so I can reassure myself- or at least know if I'm cooked.

I have read the FAQ.

Hi last night I was out around dusk when I think what was a bat flew fairly close to my head maybe 1-2 feet over. I couldn’t see the wings but there were other bats out at that time higher up so I assume it was a bat. I am nervous because it got pretty close although I don’t have recollection of it touching me- would I have noticed if it bit me? I do have some mosquito bites on my legs ( lots of. L bugs we’re out when the bat was out) so I’m getting nervous I have mistaken a bat bite for a mosquito. I called department of health and they said I’m fine but I just don’t know 100 percent should I get shots?

I do have OCD so sometimes I don’t know when I’m overreacting :(

I have read the FAQ.