Possible Rabies Exposure Sparking Worry 2.5 Years Later?

Question

Hello,

About 2.5 years ago I was moving a colony of Little Brown Myotis bats off the side of the house where they had chosen to roost. In the process I received a small bite from one before he flew off. I thought nothing of it at the time and after reading the average incubation time for Rabies is 30-90 days, I figured I was in the clear. I then recently read somewhere that incubation make take several years and have since been gripped with panic. Does anyone know how likely this is to occur 2.5 years after the initial incident and if these were these single, isolated, atypical cases out of thousands? I am sure I am past the point that PEP would be of any assistance. This has me so gripped it is hard for me to function with the thought of a possible sudden onset, stealing my life and taking me away from my family. What is the liklihood that I could be harboring the disease after all this time? Are chances greater that I am worrying without just cause? Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Part of the incubation time depends on where you are bitten; rabbies travels along nerves to the CNS, and moves up to the brain causing fatal encephalitis. The longest survival times occur when the bite was on the extremitites, ie the foot. If you are a healthy person with a decent immune system and very lucky, then in theory I guess the virus could last 2.5 years. The problem with this that I am having, is that as far as I know, the virus doesn't have the ability to become latent, so it shouldn't be able to survive that long.

If you did get the virus, and have lasted 2.5 years without any treatment, then you are probably immune to it. So don't worry yourself over it. Next time you are bitten, go to the doctor straight away, just in case.

Have a good one.

Answer 2

I am sure you know the usual incubation period is from 2 weeks to 6 months. The cases you are referring to are very atypical. There are so many factors that affect the development - such as your general health, state of your immune system, size and number of bites, etc. - it makes it difficult to determine your risk. At the same time - you must consider that there have probably been less than 10 deaths in the United States from rabies in the last decade. Statistically - your chances of developing it after this long are astronomically low - you have a better chance of winning the lottery. To put your mind at ease - you should see your doctor. There are tests they can run that can determine if you are still harboring any of the virus. You need to do this for your own peace of mind.

Answer 3

odds are d#@* small on your actual have been uncovered sufficient to get rabies a million) rabies is uncommon interior the canines interior the US and that they must have it to offer it to you. 2) licking could purely be a concern in case you have been bleeding on the time... 3) inhalation is a concern provided that there is aerosolised saliva or spinal fluid interior the air (think of of a sprig can) some thing which could take place in a lab (ability strategies) yet no longer from the canines respiration... there have been deadly reactions to the vaccine so your odds are in all probability worse from the vaccine... yet once you won't be able to handle for annoying over rabies exposure perhaps the wellbeing care expert is a sturdy theory they do have drugs for such obsessions

Answer 4

Do you have a family doctor that can put your fears to rest? I think rabies would be unlikely at this point. Those pesky bats.