A bat just fell on my boyfriend. There are no apparent scratches or bites. He doesn't have health insurance...

Question

I've decided better safe than sorry. How much would a rabies shot cost without insurance?

He stepped outside to pee and something fell from the roof onto him He is not sure if it was a bird or bat. It fluttered around his head and hair and he swatted it away. We looked around with a flash light and could not find it.

Answer 1

When you say "fell on" him, was it dead or injured, or did it fly away? If its injured or dead and nearby, get it and call Vector Control or the hmane society, maybe. They can test to see if it had rabies.

If not its a tough call. A bat can scratch or bit someone with no pain, and still cause a rabies infection. Its very rare, but it can happen. The bummer is that rabies, if left untreated, is almost always deadly.

There was a girl who underwent a new type of treatment several months ago and survived, but even then she was in the hospital for weeks and weeks. Other than that I don't recall of ever hearing of anyone surviving a rabies infection.

Treatment is not like it was in the old days where you got shots in the stomach, but it is still a long and lengthy process. Lots of shots, but only in the arm.

Soap and water on the area is a must!

But based on you added description, He should have already taken a shower, and then I'd say don't worry about it. People who go spelunking run in to bats all the time...

Answer 2

If he has no scratches or bite marks then a rabies shot is not needed. You can call the hospital and see what they say.

Is the bat still alive? It is possible the bat lost it's footing to result in a fall.

Bats cannot just up and fly like birds do. Bats have to be on a tree or a wall, to push themselves off to be able to fly.

Hope this helps :-)