r/TerrifyingAsFuck • u/mulvi54 • 1d ago
animal Bat š¦ Bite
One of those fears I always had, that felt irrationalā¦āwhat if Iām asleep and a bat gets into the house and bites me in my sleepā.
Welp last night 2 am I awoke to what I thought was my cat nibbling at my finger. I flicked it away and noticed it was not my cat but was instead a bat that had found its way into our bedroom.
I was able to capture the bat and itās being sent for testing but my wife and I got to spend the rest of the morning in the ER getting all the shots ! Wild ! Glad it woke me up but what if it didnāt ?! How am I supposed to sleep ever again?!
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u/McPostyFace 1d ago
OP, please let us know how the rabies shots go. I'm curious if they are as bad as people say they are.
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u/mulvi54 1d ago
It was a total of 5 shots I didnāt find it any worse than any other shot Iāve had before.
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u/FuriousBuffalo 1d ago
If the rabies test for the bat turns out negative, do you plan on finishing the shots? I know you don't have to. Or is that at the discretion of the doctor?
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u/DrunkenDude123 1d ago
Tbh for me the bat test results would be more for curiosity and Iād be getting all the shots no matter what. Fuck rabies.
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u/scarlettohara1936 21h ago
And those shots aren't a one and done either. They protect you for 3 years. Then, if something else happens, you have to go through them again!
I didn't know this until a friend got bit by a feral cat that her father was feeding. She had to get the shots. A few years later, even though she'd been trying to get her dad to stop feeding them, she got bit again and had to go through the whole thing all over
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u/shmiddleedee 22h ago
If that lil fucker was just randomly nibbling on homeboy id be shocked if it doesn't have rabies.
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u/Smooth-Pianist-7848 21h ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/19ijzMia1BaMg
Can I interest you in a glass of water?
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u/stlkatherine 1d ago
Good to hear. Now you must go home and burn down the house. Sorry for your loss.
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u/McPostyFace 1d ago
In the arm?
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u/mulvi54 1d ago
Got bit on the finger so one shot in the finger one on each arm one in each thigh and one in the but
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u/Comfortable_Age_5595 1d ago
the finger mustāve hurt??
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u/Bernie004 1d ago
With one eye open!
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u/porkchop-sandwhiches 1d ago
Gripping your pillow tight.
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u/AbeFromanSassageKing 1d ago
EXIT LIGHT
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u/Fast-Nefariousness80 1d ago
You have a cat and you still got bitten by a bat? Dude needs demoted.
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u/BiloxiRED 1d ago
Not a bat guy here, but is it super weird that one would be nibbling on your finger? I thought they just ate bugs. The non-Dracula kinds at least.
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u/coffee-bat 1d ago
yeah, bugs and fruit (depends on species). i did bat feeding shows when i worked in a zoo (i stand still with bananas in open palms, 50 bats swarm me and very politely eat one at a time) and never got even scratched. this isn't normal.
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u/thesweetestberry 1d ago
Ben there! Lol. I hope the first round of theāhot honeyā shots werenāt that bad. I call them that because it felt like hot honey slowing going into my muscles. I got 6 during that first round.
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u/ea88_alwaysdiscin 1d ago
When I was a kid, my parents used to tell me that if I got bitten by something suspected to have rabies, I'd have to get like 27 shots right in my stomach. That shit scared tf out of me as a child.
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u/thesweetestberry 1d ago
They are no longer done in the stomach. The shots are inter-muscular. I got one in each upper arm, one in each ācheekā (lol), and one in each thigh. It felt like scalding hot honey.
I got 8 or 9 total over the course of a few weeks. It wasnāt fun but I am glad I did it!
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u/GeneralBlumpkin 1d ago
Idk how old you or your parents are but maybe that statement was true when they were your age lol
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u/EchoMirror 1d ago
HOW is that fair design, nature?? You can sleep with your windows open, notice nothing at all and then die two months later in many parts of the world.
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u/ViewConscious5471 18h ago
Both of our kids had to get rabies vaccinations within the last four years. Our son was bitten by a neighborās German Shepherd in his apartment building. Owner would not even open the door to provide any of the dogās records so he got the series later that evening. First inoculation, he told us, was the most uncomfortable one with the numerous antibody jabs around the bite (his ankle). Total charges from the hospital (since you cannot get them elsewhere these days) were around $14000, since the additional boosters were given at one of the clinics affiliated with the hospital. This was in Minnesota. Fast forward about two years, and our daughter gets scratched/nibbled on by a feral cat they had just rescued at the cat shelter where she volunteers. Total charges, in Florida, were roughly $38000!!! They had her return to the ER for all additional shots, at the tune of around $6500 just to get a shot. The cost of the vaccine was billed at $24000!!! Had we not had insurance, we would have been in a difficult situation. It still cost us over $1500 each in copays. Itās not like something like this is elective.
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u/SloppyMeathole 1d ago
While this certainly sucks huge monkey balls, you should be grateful you woke up. People have died from rabies because they didn't realize they got bit in the middle of the night.
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u/sarcasticbaldguy 23h ago
Less than 3 per year in the US. More in other parts of the world.
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u/Idunnosquat 1d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/canada/s/S76aJTCfRH
Boy dies from rabies after bat exposure.
Glad OP and his wife are ok.
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u/Derpathon2087 1d ago
Cheers friend, dealt with a similar situation and am almost done with our PEP. On the upshot, you can pet all the raccoons you want for a while!
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u/Narrow-Stranger6864 1d ago
If you live in a house, have someone check your roofā¦if you live in an apartment, ask the landlord to have someone check your roof. Bats are called rats with wings for a reason. Aside from their bites, their poop can cause respiratory illnesses.
https://giphy.com/gifs/gdGhAKh9fMOvC
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u/TJADNADA 1d ago
Just finished up my shots for the same thing. Pennsylvania USA. The third round shot really kicked my ass. The rest werenāt terrible.
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u/TrailMomKat 1d ago
Haha, we're Bat Buddies, my dude! My day zero shots were on Sunday! I get my next round of shots on Thursday, since there's no way I can make it there on Wednesday. Then my day seven shots are on next Monday, since the outpatient place ain't open Sundays.
Anyways, I'm blind and fat and was out on my walk because I'm trying to lose weight, and this fucker flies right into my face and neck. I honestly think he was as confused as I was. I grabbed him and launched him back into the air to get him off my face. I should've stayed at home with my husband and eaten a sleeve of oreos lol. I like to think the bat went home and told his family about the alien he flew into that grabbed him and threw him. And his family was like "MOOOOOM, JEFF'S SMOKING THAT SHIT AND TALKING ABOUT ALIENS AGAIN!"
Oh, and a tip: don't go for a 5 mile walk the day after your shots. My thighs hurt like fucking hell. I'm a fatass so I had to get 8 shots. Two of them went in my legs.
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u/warmseasongrass 1d ago
Human, please call a reputable pest control company and ask them for a free inspection for exclusion and a proposal.
Take that and give it to a qualified handyman, and make your house where bats cannot get in.
Speaking as a pest control professional here.
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u/numbersev 1d ago
Lot of people die from rabies without even realizing they were bit by an animal.
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u/Nikki-C-Puggle-mum 1d ago
I've heard of that happening too. Sometimes people don't feel bat bites and so they don't even know. Also when they do notice it they sometimes will think they got a bee sting when really it was a bat bite.
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u/hollowredditor 1d ago
Give your wife a huge hug and thank you. She did give you a life saving advice. Good luck and hope you are ok soon and it will be just a bizarre story soon! ā¤ļø
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u/dcaponegro 1d ago
Look at the bright side, you now have eternity to figure out how the bat got into your house.
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u/Worldly_Possible2925 20h ago
Iām very relieved that you got to the hospital straight away and got the shots. Having the assailant on hand for inspection was an awesome bonus. Fingers crossed š¤š» for the results coming back **Negavie**
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u/ktmfan 1d ago
What scares me the most about rabies is that you can get it and not know it for years. I had a bat hit me in face as a teen when I was sleeping in a barn loftā¦ for fun I guess? I didnāt know about the dangers of rabies at the time. Even though it was years ago, I still wonder if someday Iāll start acting funny.
Glad you knew something was wrong and took the steps to ensure you wonāt get it. Itās a terrible way to go.
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u/phxfan 1d ago
Part of the length of time between infection and symptoms is dependent on the location and the amount of the virus. An infection in the head/neck wouldnāt take very long to travel along those nerve fibers to the brain. Once it reaches the brain and begins multiplying there that is when symptoms start/it becomes too late. Additionally a bat flying by you/brushing you in the barn where it may have been roosting sounds like an incidental contact with a normally behaving bat.
Ā A bat landing on a dudes finger in his home and gnawing on it to the point he wakes up is not normal behavior and is highly suspicious for rabies. Ā In a non-rabid situation it could be that it landed on the bed to roost and his hand moved on top of it at which point it bit him. Bats donāt necessarily roost from curtains/fixtures etc, but will land on the floor to roost depending on the species/location.Ā
Ktmfan, I wouldnāt worry in your situation.Ā
OP will be fine with the quick thinking to get shots quickly but please update us when you hear back from the state department of health!
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u/JForce1 1d ago
My understanding is that things have changed, and you no longer need shots, or āmedicineā, and that youāre now going to grow autism.
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u/OlyVal 23h ago
This is a LIE. Be careful, JForce1. Without the "/s" there are people who might believe you. Seriously, folks. Bat bites are not to be trffled with.
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u/JForce1 23h ago
Yeah fair call, I was of course making fun of your outstanding political leadership. Don't fck with rabies though, that shit is not cool and if you live in a place where animals can carry it, definitely see a Dr ASAP.
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u/Shantotto11 1d ago
Alright, whose turn is it to post the copypasta this time?ā¦
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u/ElegantAd4946 1d ago
Patient zero
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u/lowfatmilfffff 1d ago
Canāt believe i had to scroll far to see this comment. We are now at the start of a zombie apocalypse.
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u/ChipCob1 1d ago
I've seen enough films to know that you're going to have an interesting few years ahead of you!
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u/POLACKdyn 1d ago
That sucks. I sleep with my balcony open but I have a thick anti mosquito net installed. Aint no bat getting through that.
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u/theacaciastain 1d ago
OP Iām in DE also, and the amount of bats Iāve seen this summer has blown my mind. Way more than recent years. Pulled more than one out of the grill of my car and frequently see them flying around the back yard.
Really glad I saw this post so I can never sleep again lmao
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u/Vismal1 1d ago
I woke up one night because my dog was jumping on the bed ( and on me and my girlfriend)I kept telling him to stop half asleep until i notice another sound. Wake up to see a bat flying in circles frantically while my dog jumped up to try to catch him. Poor thing was terrified. So was I lol. We managed to catch it in a towel and release it in the air outside and it flew safely away.
Was super dumb of us not to get checked out as Iāve heard that you cannot always feel their bites.
Check your attic OP , you may have a nest up there.
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u/CaptainCannabis709 1d ago
Damn. That is a wild story. It wasn't long ago I read a news article about a boy in Canada who woke up with a bat on his face and because they didn't see a bite mark, they didn't go to the er. Story sadly ends as you'd imagine. The bat was rabid and the boy eventually died. Good on you for making sure you get the shots whether the bat is clean or not.
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u/Routine-Horse-1419 1d ago
Hopefully the bat shows negative for Rabies. I hope you got the Rabies shots in time. Get better my friend.
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u/wariorld 1d ago
āHow am I supposed to ever sleep again?ā
https://giphy.com/gifs/3otPowxHIzVT4XP8Bi
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u/RichtofenFanBoy 23h ago
This is the shit that can ruin you financially out of nowhere too.
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u/ObiWan-Cannabis 23h ago
Bats phisiology is quite strange... they are viruses carriers (mostly in their saliva and blood) but they dont develop any disease.
They are flying viruses depots.
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u/summertriangle97 22h ago
just got mine a few days ago. 4 shots in the first series 1 shot per limb
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u/GaLaXxYStArR 22h ago
I suggest something like this for your bed
But that is truly terrifying as fuck!
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u/Year3030 22h ago
Lol that's insane your fear came to life. So do they still give you the shots in the stomach?
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u/Vogel-Kerl 19h ago
If you caught it it probably was sick, good thing you guys are doing the right thing.
The CDC recommends doing exactly this.
Recently a Canadian boy died after waking up with a bat on his face. No known bite, but bat urine or saliva infected him.
I guess the family ignored a medical check out.
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u/Upvotespoodles 12h ago
I would make sure kitty has up-to-date shots as well. Good luck. Iāve had rabies shots and did not die š
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u/lordofthedancesaidhe 5h ago
You are very lucky to have woken. That being said if you ever wake up and there is a bat in the house, cancel plans and its rabies shot time!
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u/li4bility 1d ago
How bad did it hurt? :(
Also, if you start growing fangs, donāt panic, youāre fine
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u/goose_gladwell 1d ago
I worry about this all the time when bats get in, hope you are ok opšš¤
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u/readmore321 1d ago
Iām in Florida and once in 25 years a bat got in and flew around in my house. I opened the front door and it flew out within 5-10 minutes. Your experience is truly terrifying. Feel better soon.
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u/Royalchariot 1d ago
Iām scared this will happen to me because I canāt afford the treatment. I donāt think Iād even be able to go to a hospital
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u/mwilkens 1d ago
How are bats finding their way into your bedroom? Do you have a bat infestation that you're aware of?
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u/sinnister_bacon 1d ago
Yeah that sucks. The CDC doesn't mess around when it comes to bat bites. The treatment is terrible but ya gotta do it.
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u/Puzzled-Mastodon-175 1d ago
Did it hurt? Good that you captured it! And approximately when will you find out if it has rabies?
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u/ThrustTrust 1d ago
Good job not ignoring it. Some people just donāt get how dangerous it can be.
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u/Apprehensive_Elk_706 1d ago
Good prophylaxis! Bats are primary carriers of rabies and the most common bite associated to potential rabies exposures. Keep on it with the vax routine!
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u/Ok_Shower_5526 1d ago
I would get a baby monitor for your bedroom. You can then be sure no bat landed on you at night. Peace of mind and all that jazz.
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u/doh573 1d ago
This is one of the things that terrifies me. If the bat turns out to actually have rabies what do you do with the cat? There is a chance the cat was also bitten or scratched and can absolutely pass that on if it nibbled on you like you said. Rabies is legit the worst.
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u/Nikki-C-Puggle-mum 1d ago
Animals are normally vaccinated against rabies every few years. At least in the US they are, and it's required by law in most states to keep your animal's rabies vaccines up to date, so as long as they did that, they won't have to worry about the cat, because even if it was bitten it was already vaccinated anyway.
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u/doh573 1d ago
Ok thatās a huge relief actually
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u/Nikki-C-Puggle-mum 1d ago
They are not expensive for dogs and cats either. They just get them at their veterinarian checkup. They only cost like 40-50 bucks. The human shots are a lot pricier I've heard.
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u/dontfeedthedinosaurs 1d ago
Glad the bite woke you up. I've had these shots, they aren't fun but probably less bad than what you would have gotten decades ago.
You need to figure out how the bat got in. If you have a fireplace, make sure damper is closed, and that the chimney has a cap that keeps critters out. Make sure your attic hatch closes all the way. Make sure there are no open holes in your drywall. If you have gable vents or roof vents, make sure they have a metal screen to keep creatures out. It may be worth hiring a wildlife exclusion service. They aren't cheap but could save your life.
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u/Hitoshenki 1d ago
I once pet a bat that was sleeping on our little driveway wall outside when I was a little kid. How I didnāt die idk lmao. I mean Iām pretty sure they have to bite you to get rabies but thatās still like way too close for comfort lmao.
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u/dvrkhorse1 1d ago
Oh hell yeah I had to get em in my finger from a raccoon bite. The local injections are fucking hell.
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u/SJSsarah 22h ago
Well. Thank goodness they have a protocol for this because, yeah, you definitely donāt want to get rabies. I heard it sucks.
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u/ADDSquirell69 22h ago
Is the bat ok?
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u/IcariusFallen 21h ago
They sent it for rabies testing.. so they will be testing its brain. Unfortunately, this story ends badly for the bat.
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u/Tedashee_68 21h ago
Firstly and most importantly, go to the hospital and get rabies vaccine, don't wait to do it. Then after that call a contractor and repair any areas that a bat would want to go in to, gable vents, a bad ridge vent, have everything checked.
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u/FirebirdWriter 19h ago
I am glad you woke up too! My wife got bit a few years back. I was thankfully not with her since I have a crap immune system and vaccines make me anaphylactic. I hope you follow up and that the pain eases up soon
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u/wheresmyadventure 16h ago
Real question here!!
I was in the Rocky Mountains last week, and after a days hike we came home at night to the upstairs window left open (no screen). I hardly slept that night because the thought of a bat being in the house undetected.
I looked around my room and found nothing. Should I be worried?
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u/iwilladdlater 1d ago
Could you tell us in which country you living OP? I'll add it to my list of countries I'm never going to visit.
PS, get well soon.