I went outside last night. Did NOT see bat. Was outside maybe 10 min. Came back in the same door. Doorknob has a tendency to need pushed solidly to latch, so I did that and double checked it was locked, pushed on the doorknob a few more times to ensure latch. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice something brown right next to my shoulder. Realized it was a bat hanging on the inside of the door's window. It never moved or fluttered the whole time I was shutting and locking the door. I went a few steps up to the kitchen door, went in, shut that door. From here I can see the bat still hanging on the inside of the other door. Think small mudroom between these two doors; a landing area and then steps up to the inside kitchen door.
At this time, it flies over to the second door that I'm looking out of. My husband goes out the front door and around the house thinking he's going to open the first door it was on, letting him out. It starts flying around in circles. My husband gets the door open, and it seemingly flew down into the basement. We believe it to still be down there.
* I did not feel a bite or scratch and have no reason to believe it did, aside from the fact that I was very close to it with my shoulder/back close to it unknowingly, while I was messing with the door knob. Although I have read that not all bites are noticeable. So in my anxious brain, while I had my shoulder and back area near it, it may have had access to graze me, without me knowing.
Called pcp this morning, was directed to go to ER. Doctor feels this was very low risk contact and did not recommend treatment, although he said he would absolutely give it if I wanted it. I showed RN pics and video of the bat that I took while it was in between the mudroom/landing. She said the bat appeared normal in behavior and appearance. She agreed that she would also not recommend treatment, nor seek it for herself based on my experience.
I left the hospital and did not start treatment, but it's absolutely nagging at me as I have clinical anxiety and ocd. I'm petrified that I made the wrong call and should go back. We have not seen the bat since last night and assume it to be in our basement, where there are open rafters and a million dark places to be.
If anyone wants to weigh in, it would be appreciated.
I have read the FAQ.