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What Are The Chances Of Rabies When There Is Bat In Same Room As Baby?
Question: There was a bat in my baby's (4 month old) room while she was sleeping last Thursday night(8/21). We didn't notice the bat until it started flying around maybe 15-30 minutes from the last time we checked on her. We got the bat out, but did not get it examined for rabies. My daughter doesn't show any signs of being bitten, she was asleep when we got her out of there and was not crying. How concerned should I be about rabies? Should I take her right away to get a rabies vaccine just in case? What are the side effects of the vaccine on a four month old? I'm deeply concerned.
Brief Answer:
Your daughter needs medical attention
Detailed Answer:
Hi...I understand your concern. The bat was in same room as the baby for almost 30 minutes. But if it had really bitten the baby the cry would have been immediate. As you have very logically mentioned that the baby was not crying, hopefully she is not bitten. But the teeth of the bat are so small that the actual bite may go unnoticed. I suggest you get her to the nearest medical centre or paediatrician to get her thoroughly examined.
The second issue is that, not only the bite but the droppings of the bat after getting dried up can release spores which on inhalation can cause certain diseases like Histoplasmosis. We need to keep this in mind and I advice you to check the room thoroughly as the bats are known to reside in crevices or narrow inaccessible parts of the room and there might be some droppings there.
When bat droppings, saliva, or other secretions are believed to be nearby, closely monitor your and the baby's health, especially any fever, chills, headache, or muscle pain. If these symptoms appear, seek medical attention.
Regarding you queries -
1. You need to be concerned about rabies as the bat's condition on rabies is undetermined.
2. If I were your paediatrician I would thoroughly examine the baby for obvious bites, but as saliva contact cannot be ruled out, I would rather prefer vaccinating her with anti-rabies vaccine, post exposure prophylaxis schedule.
3. Rabies vaccine's side effects are not age related. So do not worry. But as you have specifically asked for side effects - Mild reactions such as pain, redness, swelling, or itching at injection site, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, and dizziness are reported. However, serious events after vaccination are rare. Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a progressive disorder affecting the nervous system, have been reported in people who received the Human Diploid Cell Rabies Vaccine. But again, n these cases, all patients recovered within three months.
Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,
Your daughter needs medical attention
Detailed Answer:
Hi...I understand your concern. The bat was in same room as the baby for almost 30 minutes. But if it had really bitten the baby the cry would have been immediate. As you have very logically mentioned that the baby was not crying, hopefully she is not bitten. But the teeth of the bat are so small that the actual bite may go unnoticed. I suggest you get her to the nearest medical centre or paediatrician to get her thoroughly examined.
The second issue is that, not only the bite but the droppings of the bat after getting dried up can release spores which on inhalation can cause certain diseases like Histoplasmosis. We need to keep this in mind and I advice you to check the room thoroughly as the bats are known to reside in crevices or narrow inaccessible parts of the room and there might be some droppings there.
When bat droppings, saliva, or other secretions are believed to be nearby, closely monitor your and the baby's health, especially any fever, chills, headache, or muscle pain. If these symptoms appear, seek medical attention.
Regarding you queries -
1. You need to be concerned about rabies as the bat's condition on rabies is undetermined.
2. If I were your paediatrician I would thoroughly examine the baby for obvious bites, but as saliva contact cannot be ruled out, I would rather prefer vaccinating her with anti-rabies vaccine, post exposure prophylaxis schedule.
3. Rabies vaccine's side effects are not age related. So do not worry. But as you have specifically asked for side effects - Mild reactions such as pain, redness, swelling, or itching at injection site, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, and dizziness are reported. However, serious events after vaccination are rare. Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a progressive disorder affecting the nervous system, have been reported in people who received the Human Diploid Cell Rabies Vaccine. But again, n these cases, all patients recovered within three months.
Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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