A man issued an internet PSA about rabies vaccinations after he woke up to a bat flying around in his bedroom at night. Here’s the two mistakes he says he made that he wants others to avoid.
TikTok user Derek (@prepperpress) posted a video with his PSA earlier in the week. “I just got vaccinated for rabies,” he says to start the video. “Watch this so you don’t make the same two mistakes that I did. And, after I’m finished, tell me what you would’ve done.”
Man Wakes Up to Bat Flying Around Bedroom
Derek explains that he and his wife woke up two weeks ago in the middle of the night to find a bat flying around their bedroom. “I’m pretty sure it came in around the window air conditioner,” he says. “Long story short: Through some creative door openings and closings and turning lights on and off, eventually it made its way out through the front door and happily into the night.”
He clarifies that the bat never acted aggressively. Still, “People were then telling us to get the rabies vaccine,” he says. And for good reason. “The CDC guidelines and doctor recommendations are very clear. If you wake up with a bat in your room, and you can’t be 100% certain that you weren’t bitten, then you need to get vaccinated.”
That’s because you can be bitten or scratched by a bat and not realize it. “And if that bat was rabid, then you’ll get rabies,” he says. “The last time someone died in Maine from rabies was in 1937. So the odds that we have rabies is very slim. However, if we were to show signs of rabies, it’s too late to get the vaccine. And we’re almost certain to suffer a very painful death within 7-10 days of symptoms.”
To The ER
After two weeks, the couple’s doctor finally sent them to the emergency room to get the vaccine. “I got one shot in each leg and one in the arm,” he says. “And we have to go back for three more sessions.”
Not only is this process time intensive, but it’s also painful. “I wasn’t expecting it to hurt,” Derek says. “He jabbed me in the first leg, and I recoiled and pulled the needle out. So he had to jab that leg again. That was fun. These are expensive shots. I don’t know how much it will cost after insurance kicks in.”
The 2 Mistakes the Man Regrets Making
So what are the two mistakes the man wants others to avoid? “OK, mistake No. 1 was waiting too long to get vaccinated,” Derek says. “Two weeks after exposure is about the maximum window of time that you have. If you think you have been exposed to rabies, get the vaccine sooner.”
He continues, “Mistake No. 2 was freeing the bat. I should’ve captured or killed it. Then we could’ve taken it or its body to the CDC for rabies testing. We opted to get vaccinated because despite low odds of actually having rabies, if we did have it, there are even lower odds that we would survive it. And if we had both gotten rabies, then we would’ve left parentless children behind.”
In conclusion, he says, “That’s what we did. But I’m curious. Given all these circumstances, if you were in my situation, what would you have done?”
Viewers React To The Delayed Rabies Vaccine Story
In the comments, several people said they would immediately seek medical attention in this situation.
“I would’ve driven to the ER immediately, because I have an irrational fear of rabies,” wrote one person.
“Even if the bat tested negative, my anxiety could not handle it,” wrote a second person. “I would have to get the vaccine. And then I would still fear for the rest of my life that I still had rabies.”
A third person said, “No need to gamble with your life. You did the right thing.”
@prepperpress We woke up to a bat flying around our bedroom. The doctor told us to get a rabies vaccination. What would you have done? #rabies #bats #vaccine
What Should You Do In This Situation?
The Centers for Disease Control offers advice on this subject in an article titled “Preventing Rabies from Bats.” The article explains that most people in the United States who die of the disease get it through contact with a rabid bat.
Bats are impressive creatures that can indeed get into homes through tiny ¼-inch gaps in windows or air conditioning units. If one does get into your home and starts flying around—particularly in the daytime—be extremely cautious and don’t physically handle it for any reason.
Because bat bites can be difficult to identify, it is possible to be bitten and not realize it. If you even think you made contact with a bat (rabid or not), contact your local health authority and a medical professional immediately. That person will determine whether a vaccine is appropriate.
BroBible contacted Derek via TikTok comment and direct message for comment.