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Hi There. I Woke Up To A Bat Flying In
Question: hi there.
i woke up to a bat flying in my room 6 weeks ago. i did not feel a bite hiwever it could have bit me sleeping but i dont see one eotger. i have no shot but no symptoms. i also got ny blood tested for CBC and all levels were normal. i was told if i had an infection lingering like rabies ny leveks woild be abnormal (very off) is this correct? (my platlests say high but i was told this level was also considered normal) Can i stop worrying about having rabies?
i woke up to a bat flying in my room 6 weeks ago. i did not feel a bite hiwever it could have bit me sleeping but i dont see one eotger. i have no shot but no symptoms. i also got ny blood tested for CBC and all levels were normal. i was told if i had an infection lingering like rabies ny leveks woild be abnormal (very off) is this correct? (my platlests say high but i was told this level was also considered normal) Can i stop worrying about having rabies?
hi there.
i woke up to a bat flying in my room 6 weeks ago. i did not feel a bite hiwever it could have bit me sleeping but i dont see one eotger. i have no shot but no symptoms. i also got ny blood tested for CBC and all levels were normal. i was told if i had an infection lingering like rabies ny leveks woild be abnormal (very off) is this correct? (my platlests say high but i was told this level was also considered normal) Can i stop worrying about having rabies?
i woke up to a bat flying in my room 6 weeks ago. i did not feel a bite hiwever it could have bit me sleeping but i dont see one eotger. i have no shot but no symptoms. i also got ny blood tested for CBC and all levels were normal. i was told if i had an infection lingering like rabies ny leveks woild be abnormal (very off) is this correct? (my platlests say high but i was told this level was also considered normal) Can i stop worrying about having rabies?
Brief Answer:
You should get post-exposure prophylaxis
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
The incubation period for rabies, or the period of time it takes for symptoms to develop, can be quite long, usually 1-3 months, but can be years. Laboratory tests are not reliable for diagnosing this, and often are normal until late in the illness. So even though if you had not visible or known bite, your risk is small, any exposure to bats, if physical contact can't be ruled out, would be considered an indication for prophylaxis, or protection, against the rabies disease. This would including vaccination, and, if you were not vaccinated before, immune globulin against the disease.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about any of that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
You should get post-exposure prophylaxis
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
The incubation period for rabies, or the period of time it takes for symptoms to develop, can be quite long, usually 1-3 months, but can be years. Laboratory tests are not reliable for diagnosing this, and often are normal until late in the illness. So even though if you had not visible or known bite, your risk is small, any exposure to bats, if physical contact can't be ruled out, would be considered an indication for prophylaxis, or protection, against the rabies disease. This would including vaccination, and, if you were not vaccinated before, immune globulin against the disease.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about any of that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
You should get post-exposure prophylaxis
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
The incubation period for rabies, or the period of time it takes for symptoms to develop, can be quite long, usually 1-3 months, but can be years. Laboratory tests are not reliable for diagnosing this, and often are normal until late in the illness. So even though if you had not visible or known bite, your risk is small, any exposure to bats, if physical contact can't be ruled out, would be considered an indication for prophylaxis, or protection, against the rabies disease. This would including vaccination, and, if you were not vaccinated before, immune globulin against the disease.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about any of that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
You should get post-exposure prophylaxis
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
The incubation period for rabies, or the period of time it takes for symptoms to develop, can be quite long, usually 1-3 months, but can be years. Laboratory tests are not reliable for diagnosing this, and often are normal until late in the illness. So even though if you had not visible or known bite, your risk is small, any exposure to bats, if physical contact can't be ruled out, would be considered an indication for prophylaxis, or protection, against the rabies disease. This would including vaccination, and, if you were not vaccinated before, immune globulin against the disease.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about any of that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
another doctor jist told me that my blood results would be abnormal aswell
another doctor jist told me that my blood results would be abnormal aswell
Brief Answer:
PEP is for many diseases, including HIV and rabies
Detailed Answer:
You can read more about PEP for rabies at https://www.who.int/ith/vaccines/rabies/en/ and https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/medical_care/index.html.
This is also from Uptodate, a trusted medical resource for doctors: The average incubation period of rabies is one to three months, but can range from several days to many years after an exposure [12,16,36,37]. As an example, in one series of 32 patients with rabies who reported a definite animal bite, the median incubation period was 85 days (range, 53 to 150 days) [16]. In another case, human rabies was attributed to an exposure from a dog in Brazil eight years earlier; viral latent infection and/or slow replication were hypothesized [37,38].
I have never heard of anyone ruling out rabies with a normal CBC before there are any symptoms, and I doubt that is reliable. Furthermore, even antibody tests may not test positive until late in the course of illness, if at all (again, according to Uptodate).
If your other doctors have a source for their information they can provide to you, or if they have extensive experience treating rabies exposures (which I doubt), I would be very interested in it, since it seems to contradict everything that I read and have been taught.
I'm not saying that it is likely you have rabies, but if I were you, with any exposure to bats, PEP would be indicated, and I would get it, because rabies is a serious illness with no known effective treatment once it starts. It may be that it is too late to get the PEP, but I don't see why it would be, and I would certainly talk with someone with your local health department who would have more experience with this.
Update: This is again from a trusted medical resource: Post-exposure prophylaxis should be administered following a rabies exposure, even if there is a delay; post-exposure prophylaxis is only too late when signs of clinical rabies develop. The average incubation period is 45 days, although latency periods between exposure and onset of disease as long as one to eight years have been reported [32,33]. No post-exposure prophylaxis failures have been reported in the United States despite an average delay to initiation of approximately five days.
So it sounds to me like you should get the PEP. Again, if your other doctors have a source of information that says otherwise, I would be interested to hear it; otherwise, they may be making assumptions about something they don't have a lot of experience with.
PEP is for many diseases, including HIV and rabies
Detailed Answer:
You can read more about PEP for rabies at https://www.who.int/ith/vaccines/rabies/en/ and https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/medical_care/index.html.
This is also from Uptodate, a trusted medical resource for doctors: The average incubation period of rabies is one to three months, but can range from several days to many years after an exposure [12,16,36,37]. As an example, in one series of 32 patients with rabies who reported a definite animal bite, the median incubation period was 85 days (range, 53 to 150 days) [16]. In another case, human rabies was attributed to an exposure from a dog in Brazil eight years earlier; viral latent infection and/or slow replication were hypothesized [37,38].
I have never heard of anyone ruling out rabies with a normal CBC before there are any symptoms, and I doubt that is reliable. Furthermore, even antibody tests may not test positive until late in the course of illness, if at all (again, according to Uptodate).
If your other doctors have a source for their information they can provide to you, or if they have extensive experience treating rabies exposures (which I doubt), I would be very interested in it, since it seems to contradict everything that I read and have been taught.
I'm not saying that it is likely you have rabies, but if I were you, with any exposure to bats, PEP would be indicated, and I would get it, because rabies is a serious illness with no known effective treatment once it starts. It may be that it is too late to get the PEP, but I don't see why it would be, and I would certainly talk with someone with your local health department who would have more experience with this.
Update: This is again from a trusted medical resource: Post-exposure prophylaxis should be administered following a rabies exposure, even if there is a delay; post-exposure prophylaxis is only too late when signs of clinical rabies develop. The average incubation period is 45 days, although latency periods between exposure and onset of disease as long as one to eight years have been reported [32,33]. No post-exposure prophylaxis failures have been reported in the United States despite an average delay to initiation of approximately five days.
So it sounds to me like you should get the PEP. Again, if your other doctors have a source of information that says otherwise, I would be interested to hear it; otherwise, they may be making assumptions about something they don't have a lot of experience with.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Brief Answer:
PEP is for many diseases, including HIV and rabies
Detailed Answer:
You can read more about PEP for rabies at https://www.who.int/ith/vaccines/rabies/en/ and https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/medical_care/index.html.
This is also from Uptodate, a trusted medical resource for doctors: The average incubation period of rabies is one to three months, but can range from several days to many years after an exposure [12,16,36,37]. As an example, in one series of 32 patients with rabies who reported a definite animal bite, the median incubation period was 85 days (range, 53 to 150 days) [16]. In another case, human rabies was attributed to an exposure from a dog in Brazil eight years earlier; viral latent infection and/or slow replication were hypothesized [37,38].
I have never heard of anyone ruling out rabies with a normal CBC before there are any symptoms, and I doubt that is reliable. Furthermore, even antibody tests may not test positive until late in the course of illness, if at all (again, according to Uptodate).
If your other doctors have a source for their information they can provide to you, or if they have extensive experience treating rabies exposures (which I doubt), I would be very interested in it, since it seems to contradict everything that I read and have been taught.
I'm not saying that it is likely you have rabies, but if I were you, with any exposure to bats, PEP would be indicated, and I would get it, because rabies is a serious illness with no known effective treatment once it starts. It may be that it is too late to get the PEP, but I don't see why it would be, and I would certainly talk with someone with your local health department who would have more experience with this.
Update: This is again from a trusted medical resource: Post-exposure prophylaxis should be administered following a rabies exposure, even if there is a delay; post-exposure prophylaxis is only too late when signs of clinical rabies develop. The average incubation period is 45 days, although latency periods between exposure and onset of disease as long as one to eight years have been reported [32,33]. No post-exposure prophylaxis failures have been reported in the United States despite an average delay to initiation of approximately five days.
So it sounds to me like you should get the PEP. Again, if your other doctors have a source of information that says otherwise, I would be interested to hear it; otherwise, they may be making assumptions about something they don't have a lot of experience with.
PEP is for many diseases, including HIV and rabies
Detailed Answer:
You can read more about PEP for rabies at https://www.who.int/ith/vaccines/rabies/en/ and https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/medical_care/index.html.
This is also from Uptodate, a trusted medical resource for doctors: The average incubation period of rabies is one to three months, but can range from several days to many years after an exposure [12,16,36,37]. As an example, in one series of 32 patients with rabies who reported a definite animal bite, the median incubation period was 85 days (range, 53 to 150 days) [16]. In another case, human rabies was attributed to an exposure from a dog in Brazil eight years earlier; viral latent infection and/or slow replication were hypothesized [37,38].
I have never heard of anyone ruling out rabies with a normal CBC before there are any symptoms, and I doubt that is reliable. Furthermore, even antibody tests may not test positive until late in the course of illness, if at all (again, according to Uptodate).
If your other doctors have a source for their information they can provide to you, or if they have extensive experience treating rabies exposures (which I doubt), I would be very interested in it, since it seems to contradict everything that I read and have been taught.
I'm not saying that it is likely you have rabies, but if I were you, with any exposure to bats, PEP would be indicated, and I would get it, because rabies is a serious illness with no known effective treatment once it starts. It may be that it is too late to get the PEP, but I don't see why it would be, and I would certainly talk with someone with your local health department who would have more experience with this.
Update: This is again from a trusted medical resource: Post-exposure prophylaxis should be administered following a rabies exposure, even if there is a delay; post-exposure prophylaxis is only too late when signs of clinical rabies develop. The average incubation period is 45 days, although latency periods between exposure and onset of disease as long as one to eight years have been reported [32,33]. No post-exposure prophylaxis failures have been reported in the United States despite an average delay to initiation of approximately five days.
So it sounds to me like you should get the PEP. Again, if your other doctors have a source of information that says otherwise, I would be interested to hear it; otherwise, they may be making assumptions about something they don't have a lot of experience with.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Okay. Is this the IOMAX rabies? Also I’m not saying that my CBC count would tell me if I had rabies or not but if I had the infection in my blood then my WBC count and lymphocyte count would show elevated levels.
Okay. Is this the IOMAX rabies? Also I’m not saying that my CBC count would tell me if I had rabies or not but if I had the infection in my blood then my WBC count and lymphocyte count would show elevated levels.
the IMOVAX vaccine is on back order until september at every pharmacy that i contacted
the IMOVAX vaccine is on back order until september at every pharmacy that i contacted
Brief Answer:
I don't know what IOMAX rabies is.
Detailed Answer:
I'm not sure what you are referring to with IOMAX rabies. Do you mean IMOVAX? That is the brand of the rabies vaccine.
What you are trying to say is that the CBC does tell you that you don't have rabies, and with that is what I am saying I don't agree. I have not read anything that says the CBC would show anything before you have symptoms of rabies, and I doubt that it would. Anybody who says otherwise, I would ask them for an explanation. Maybe if you already had an active infection and were having symptoms of rabies, but even then, I would say a normal CBC doesn't rule out rabies.
For example, some people have rabies years after being exposed. I doubt their CBC would be abnormal that whole time, and if it was, I don't see any reports of it. So if someone is going to tell you that the CBC is definitely going to be abnormal in the incubation period, I would like to know why they think that, and what evidence there is of that.
I don't know what IOMAX rabies is.
Detailed Answer:
I'm not sure what you are referring to with IOMAX rabies. Do you mean IMOVAX? That is the brand of the rabies vaccine.
What you are trying to say is that the CBC does tell you that you don't have rabies, and with that is what I am saying I don't agree. I have not read anything that says the CBC would show anything before you have symptoms of rabies, and I doubt that it would. Anybody who says otherwise, I would ask them for an explanation. Maybe if you already had an active infection and were having symptoms of rabies, but even then, I would say a normal CBC doesn't rule out rabies.
For example, some people have rabies years after being exposed. I doubt their CBC would be abnormal that whole time, and if it was, I don't see any reports of it. So if someone is going to tell you that the CBC is definitely going to be abnormal in the incubation period, I would like to know why they think that, and what evidence there is of that.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Brief Answer:
I don't know what IOMAX rabies is.
Detailed Answer:
I'm not sure what you are referring to with IOMAX rabies. Do you mean IMOVAX? That is the brand of the rabies vaccine.
What you are trying to say is that the CBC does tell you that you don't have rabies, and with that is what I am saying I don't agree. I have not read anything that says the CBC would show anything before you have symptoms of rabies, and I doubt that it would. Anybody who says otherwise, I would ask them for an explanation. Maybe if you already had an active infection and were having symptoms of rabies, but even then, I would say a normal CBC doesn't rule out rabies.
For example, some people have rabies years after being exposed. I doubt their CBC would be abnormal that whole time, and if it was, I don't see any reports of it. So if someone is going to tell you that the CBC is definitely going to be abnormal in the incubation period, I would like to know why they think that, and what evidence there is of that.
I don't know what IOMAX rabies is.
Detailed Answer:
I'm not sure what you are referring to with IOMAX rabies. Do you mean IMOVAX? That is the brand of the rabies vaccine.
What you are trying to say is that the CBC does tell you that you don't have rabies, and with that is what I am saying I don't agree. I have not read anything that says the CBC would show anything before you have symptoms of rabies, and I doubt that it would. Anybody who says otherwise, I would ask them for an explanation. Maybe if you already had an active infection and were having symptoms of rabies, but even then, I would say a normal CBC doesn't rule out rabies.
For example, some people have rabies years after being exposed. I doubt their CBC would be abnormal that whole time, and if it was, I don't see any reports of it. So if someone is going to tell you that the CBC is definitely going to be abnormal in the incubation period, I would like to know why they think that, and what evidence there is of that.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
here is prood of another GP, what your telling me makes no sense when 6 other doctors have told me differntly?
here is prood of another GP, what your telling me makes no sense when 6 other doctors have told me differntly?
Brief Answer:
I am providing sources from experts
Detailed Answer:
I am providing sources from experts, so I would say it is them that are not making sense, unless they can show evidence that supports it.
The CDC recommends prophylaxis if there is a bat in the room you are sleeping in, as you may not be able to be sure the bat has not bit you. The chances are certainly low, but not impossible. You can read more from the CDC website here: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats/contact/index.html. Also, there are many cases of getting bit by bats while sleeping and not knowing it, such as here: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/06/02/0000/bats-in-the-bedroom-can-spread-rabies-without-an-obvious-bite.
It is absolutely false that you will always have an abnormal CBC with a viral infection. For example, the HIV infection does not normally have any abnormalities on the CBC while in the incubation stage. And any doctor should know that even active viral infections often have a completely normal CBC. I would certainly not use a CBC as reassurance that a patient does not have rabies.
I'm sorry about making you anxious, but you asked the question, and I'm giving you the best answer I know to give.
I am providing sources from experts
Detailed Answer:
I am providing sources from experts, so I would say it is them that are not making sense, unless they can show evidence that supports it.
The CDC recommends prophylaxis if there is a bat in the room you are sleeping in, as you may not be able to be sure the bat has not bit you. The chances are certainly low, but not impossible. You can read more from the CDC website here: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats/contact/index.html. Also, there are many cases of getting bit by bats while sleeping and not knowing it, such as here: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/06/02/0000/bats-in-the-bedroom-can-spread-rabies-without-an-obvious-bite.
It is absolutely false that you will always have an abnormal CBC with a viral infection. For example, the HIV infection does not normally have any abnormalities on the CBC while in the incubation stage. And any doctor should know that even active viral infections often have a completely normal CBC. I would certainly not use a CBC as reassurance that a patient does not have rabies.
I'm sorry about making you anxious, but you asked the question, and I'm giving you the best answer I know to give.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Brief Answer:
I am providing sources from experts
Detailed Answer:
I am providing sources from experts, so I would say it is them that are not making sense, unless they can show evidence that supports it.
The CDC recommends prophylaxis if there is a bat in the room you are sleeping in, as you may not be able to be sure the bat has not bit you. The chances are certainly low, but not impossible. You can read more from the CDC website here: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats/contact/index.html. Also, there are many cases of getting bit by bats while sleeping and not knowing it, such as here: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/06/02/0000/bats-in-the-bedroom-can-spread-rabies-without-an-obvious-bite.
It is absolutely false that you will always have an abnormal CBC with a viral infection. For example, the HIV infection does not normally have any abnormalities on the CBC while in the incubation stage. And any doctor should know that even active viral infections often have a completely normal CBC. I would certainly not use a CBC as reassurance that a patient does not have rabies.
I'm sorry about making you anxious, but you asked the question, and I'm giving you the best answer I know to give.
I am providing sources from experts
Detailed Answer:
I am providing sources from experts, so I would say it is them that are not making sense, unless they can show evidence that supports it.
The CDC recommends prophylaxis if there is a bat in the room you are sleeping in, as you may not be able to be sure the bat has not bit you. The chances are certainly low, but not impossible. You can read more from the CDC website here: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats/contact/index.html. Also, there are many cases of getting bit by bats while sleeping and not knowing it, such as here: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/06/02/0000/bats-in-the-bedroom-can-spread-rabies-without-an-obvious-bite.
It is absolutely false that you will always have an abnormal CBC with a viral infection. For example, the HIV infection does not normally have any abnormalities on the CBC while in the incubation stage. And any doctor should know that even active viral infections often have a completely normal CBC. I would certainly not use a CBC as reassurance that a patient does not have rabies.
I'm sorry about making you anxious, but you asked the question, and I'm giving you the best answer I know to give.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
that vaccjne is on back order ubtil september. it is true abd proveb tgat white blood cell count increases with infection in the body.
that vaccjne is on back order ubtil september. it is true abd proveb tgat white blood cell count increases with infection in the body.
also since you seem to have so much experiancs with rabies, would i have been able to feel or see a bat bite
also since you seem to have so much experiancs with rabies, would i have been able to feel or see a bat bite
i have also searched up many doctors respinses to elecated WBC abd they are alk saying they raise due to i fections and if tvey r normal then normal immume sysyem
i have also searched up many doctors respinses to elecated WBC abd they are alk saying they raise due to i fections and if tvey r normal then normal immume sysyem
Brief Answer:
It is up to you what you want to believe.
Detailed Answer:
There would not be a WBC increase during incubation, and often there is none even after symptoms start. In the following study, after symptoms started, the range for the WBC count was 7.0-46.6, and anything below 12 would be considered normal, so sometimes the WBC was normal: https://www.intechopen.com/books/non-flavivirus-encephalitis/human-rabies-epidemiology-and-diagnosis.
But again, in your situation, which would potentially be an incubation period, no WBC changes would be expected.
I don't have much experience with rabies, but rabies is so rare, there are not likely many people who do.
I already sent you information about bat bites; if you were sleeping in a room with a bat, the recommendations are to get prophylaxis.
I've done my best to give you accurate information, but of course what you do with it is up to you. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.
It is up to you what you want to believe.
Detailed Answer:
There would not be a WBC increase during incubation, and often there is none even after symptoms start. In the following study, after symptoms started, the range for the WBC count was 7.0-46.6, and anything below 12 would be considered normal, so sometimes the WBC was normal: https://www.intechopen.com/books/non-flavivirus-encephalitis/human-rabies-epidemiology-and-diagnosis.
But again, in your situation, which would potentially be an incubation period, no WBC changes would be expected.
I don't have much experience with rabies, but rabies is so rare, there are not likely many people who do.
I already sent you information about bat bites; if you were sleeping in a room with a bat, the recommendations are to get prophylaxis.
I've done my best to give you accurate information, but of course what you do with it is up to you. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Brief Answer:
It is up to you what you want to believe.
Detailed Answer:
There would not be a WBC increase during incubation, and often there is none even after symptoms start. In the following study, after symptoms started, the range for the WBC count was 7.0-46.6, and anything below 12 would be considered normal, so sometimes the WBC was normal: https://www.intechopen.com/books/non-flavivirus-encephalitis/human-rabies-epidemiology-and-diagnosis.
But again, in your situation, which would potentially be an incubation period, no WBC changes would be expected.
I don't have much experience with rabies, but rabies is so rare, there are not likely many people who do.
I already sent you information about bat bites; if you were sleeping in a room with a bat, the recommendations are to get prophylaxis.
I've done my best to give you accurate information, but of course what you do with it is up to you. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.
It is up to you what you want to believe.
Detailed Answer:
There would not be a WBC increase during incubation, and often there is none even after symptoms start. In the following study, after symptoms started, the range for the WBC count was 7.0-46.6, and anything below 12 would be considered normal, so sometimes the WBC was normal: https://www.intechopen.com/books/non-flavivirus-encephalitis/human-rabies-epidemiology-and-diagnosis.
But again, in your situation, which would potentially be an incubation period, no WBC changes would be expected.
I don't have much experience with rabies, but rabies is so rare, there are not likely many people who do.
I already sent you information about bat bites; if you were sleeping in a room with a bat, the recommendations are to get prophylaxis.
I've done my best to give you accurate information, but of course what you do with it is up to you. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
this is imformation from anogher docyor who also used uptodate.
this is imformation from anogher docyor who also used uptodate.
Brief Answer:
The WBC is usually normal during the incubation period.
Detailed Answer:
You're not asking the right question. The WBC count is usually normal during the incubation period, before you have symptoms. Also, it is not so rare to have a normal WBC count even after symptoms start, though usually it is elevated, that is true. But again, you are not having symptoms, so that situation doesn't apply to you.
This is from Uptodate:
If testing is not available or if the bat tests positive for rabies, post-exposure prophylaxis should be administered in the following settings:
•To all individuals who have had a bite, scratch, or mucous membrane exposure from a bat.
•When direct contact with a bat occurred and the individual is unable to rule out a bite or scratch.
•If an individual has been in a room with a bat and is unable to rule out any physical contact. Such individuals include: a sleeping person who awakens to find a bat in the room; an unattended child; a mentally disabled person; an intoxicated person. This approach is consistent with the recommendations of the ACIP for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis [3,18]; however, some guideline panels do not advocate this approach [21].
Again, I agree the risk is low, but PEP would be recommended according to Uptodate, and I would trust that more than anybody unless they have extensive experience with rabies.
Also from Uptodate: The risk for rabies resulting from an encounter with a bat is often difficult to assess because bites by bats may be too small to be routinely detected or may occur at night during sleep.
The WBC is usually normal during the incubation period.
Detailed Answer:
You're not asking the right question. The WBC count is usually normal during the incubation period, before you have symptoms. Also, it is not so rare to have a normal WBC count even after symptoms start, though usually it is elevated, that is true. But again, you are not having symptoms, so that situation doesn't apply to you.
This is from Uptodate:
If testing is not available or if the bat tests positive for rabies, post-exposure prophylaxis should be administered in the following settings:
•To all individuals who have had a bite, scratch, or mucous membrane exposure from a bat.
•When direct contact with a bat occurred and the individual is unable to rule out a bite or scratch.
•If an individual has been in a room with a bat and is unable to rule out any physical contact. Such individuals include: a sleeping person who awakens to find a bat in the room; an unattended child; a mentally disabled person; an intoxicated person. This approach is consistent with the recommendations of the ACIP for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis [3,18]; however, some guideline panels do not advocate this approach [21].
Again, I agree the risk is low, but PEP would be recommended according to Uptodate, and I would trust that more than anybody unless they have extensive experience with rabies.
Also from Uptodate: The risk for rabies resulting from an encounter with a bat is often difficult to assess because bites by bats may be too small to be routinely detected or may occur at night during sleep.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Brief Answer:
The WBC is usually normal during the incubation period.
Detailed Answer:
You're not asking the right question. The WBC count is usually normal during the incubation period, before you have symptoms. Also, it is not so rare to have a normal WBC count even after symptoms start, though usually it is elevated, that is true. But again, you are not having symptoms, so that situation doesn't apply to you.
This is from Uptodate:
If testing is not available or if the bat tests positive for rabies, post-exposure prophylaxis should be administered in the following settings:
•To all individuals who have had a bite, scratch, or mucous membrane exposure from a bat.
•When direct contact with a bat occurred and the individual is unable to rule out a bite or scratch.
•If an individual has been in a room with a bat and is unable to rule out any physical contact. Such individuals include: a sleeping person who awakens to find a bat in the room; an unattended child; a mentally disabled person; an intoxicated person. This approach is consistent with the recommendations of the ACIP for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis [3,18]; however, some guideline panels do not advocate this approach [21].
Again, I agree the risk is low, but PEP would be recommended according to Uptodate, and I would trust that more than anybody unless they have extensive experience with rabies.
Also from Uptodate: The risk for rabies resulting from an encounter with a bat is often difficult to assess because bites by bats may be too small to be routinely detected or may occur at night during sleep.
The WBC is usually normal during the incubation period.
Detailed Answer:
You're not asking the right question. The WBC count is usually normal during the incubation period, before you have symptoms. Also, it is not so rare to have a normal WBC count even after symptoms start, though usually it is elevated, that is true. But again, you are not having symptoms, so that situation doesn't apply to you.
This is from Uptodate:
If testing is not available or if the bat tests positive for rabies, post-exposure prophylaxis should be administered in the following settings:
•To all individuals who have had a bite, scratch, or mucous membrane exposure from a bat.
•When direct contact with a bat occurred and the individual is unable to rule out a bite or scratch.
•If an individual has been in a room with a bat and is unable to rule out any physical contact. Such individuals include: a sleeping person who awakens to find a bat in the room; an unattended child; a mentally disabled person; an intoxicated person. This approach is consistent with the recommendations of the ACIP for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis [3,18]; however, some guideline panels do not advocate this approach [21].
Again, I agree the risk is low, but PEP would be recommended according to Uptodate, and I would trust that more than anybody unless they have extensive experience with rabies.
Also from Uptodate: The risk for rabies resulting from an encounter with a bat is often difficult to assess because bites by bats may be too small to be routinely detected or may occur at night during sleep.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Then why have I been told that WBC aren’t dependant on symptoms, they pick up infection within the body. Ie, someone could Not feel symptoms of a cold but their wbc is elevated because their body is fighting an infection that they are unaware of. That happens all the time and is not rare. You have nothing that says WBC does not raise with the presence of an infection in the body (but no symptoms)
Then why have I been told that WBC aren’t dependant on symptoms, they pick up infection within the body. Ie, someone could Not feel symptoms of a cold but their wbc is elevated because their body is fighting an infection that they are unaware of. That happens all the time and is not rare. You have nothing that says WBC does not raise with the presence of an infection in the body (but no symptoms)
This vaccine is not available anywhere.
This vaccine is not available anywhere.
Brief Answer:
Every infection is different
Detailed Answer:
Every infection is different, so it is hard to generalize, but for viral infections, always during the incubation stage, the CBC and WBC will be normal. Once the infection begins, it would be unusual not to have symptoms, but I suppose there could be some cases in which there are not symptoms but the underlying infection causes an increased WBC count; that would be unusual, however. Normally infections will cause symptoms, and that is usually when a patient will have an increased WBC count. But, much of the time, viral infections do not ever cause an increased WBC count, such as a cold, in which it would be uncommon to have an elevated WBC count, even while having symptoms.
So I don't agree that an elevated WBC without symptoms due to an infection happens all the time, at least not in my experience. And often viral infections do not cause an elevated WBC count.
Regardless, again, in your case, during the incubation period, the CBC would usually be normal. If you come across anything that says otherwise, please let me know.
Every infection is different
Detailed Answer:
Every infection is different, so it is hard to generalize, but for viral infections, always during the incubation stage, the CBC and WBC will be normal. Once the infection begins, it would be unusual not to have symptoms, but I suppose there could be some cases in which there are not symptoms but the underlying infection causes an increased WBC count; that would be unusual, however. Normally infections will cause symptoms, and that is usually when a patient will have an increased WBC count. But, much of the time, viral infections do not ever cause an increased WBC count, such as a cold, in which it would be uncommon to have an elevated WBC count, even while having symptoms.
So I don't agree that an elevated WBC without symptoms due to an infection happens all the time, at least not in my experience. And often viral infections do not cause an elevated WBC count.
Regardless, again, in your case, during the incubation period, the CBC would usually be normal. If you come across anything that says otherwise, please let me know.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Brief Answer:
Every infection is different
Detailed Answer:
Every infection is different, so it is hard to generalize, but for viral infections, always during the incubation stage, the CBC and WBC will be normal. Once the infection begins, it would be unusual not to have symptoms, but I suppose there could be some cases in which there are not symptoms but the underlying infection causes an increased WBC count; that would be unusual, however. Normally infections will cause symptoms, and that is usually when a patient will have an increased WBC count. But, much of the time, viral infections do not ever cause an increased WBC count, such as a cold, in which it would be uncommon to have an elevated WBC count, even while having symptoms.
So I don't agree that an elevated WBC without symptoms due to an infection happens all the time, at least not in my experience. And often viral infections do not cause an elevated WBC count.
Regardless, again, in your case, during the incubation period, the CBC would usually be normal. If you come across anything that says otherwise, please let me know.
Every infection is different
Detailed Answer:
Every infection is different, so it is hard to generalize, but for viral infections, always during the incubation stage, the CBC and WBC will be normal. Once the infection begins, it would be unusual not to have symptoms, but I suppose there could be some cases in which there are not symptoms but the underlying infection causes an increased WBC count; that would be unusual, however. Normally infections will cause symptoms, and that is usually when a patient will have an increased WBC count. But, much of the time, viral infections do not ever cause an increased WBC count, such as a cold, in which it would be uncommon to have an elevated WBC count, even while having symptoms.
So I don't agree that an elevated WBC without symptoms due to an infection happens all the time, at least not in my experience. And often viral infections do not cause an elevated WBC count.
Regardless, again, in your case, during the incubation period, the CBC would usually be normal. If you come across anything that says otherwise, please let me know.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
If I get the vaccine now will I be protect since I don’t have symptoms yet
If I get the vaccine now will I be protect since I don’t have symptoms yet
It’s been 6 weeks since exposure I’ve been told it would only be a preventative thing for the future not my past
It’s been 6 weeks since exposure I’ve been told it would only be a preventative thing for the future not my past
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Yes it will. Post-exposure prophylaxis is very effective when used before symptoms start and no post-exposure vaccine failures have occurred in the United States.
You were told wrong. As long as you get the PEP during the incubation period, before symptoms start, it is effective, and the incubation period can last to several months or years.
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Yes it will. Post-exposure prophylaxis is very effective when used before symptoms start and no post-exposure vaccine failures have occurred in the United States.
You were told wrong. As long as you get the PEP during the incubation period, before symptoms start, it is effective, and the incubation period can last to several months or years.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Yes it will. Post-exposure prophylaxis is very effective when used before symptoms start and no post-exposure vaccine failures have occurred in the United States.
You were told wrong. As long as you get the PEP during the incubation period, before symptoms start, it is effective, and the incubation period can last to several months or years.
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Yes it will. Post-exposure prophylaxis is very effective when used before symptoms start and no post-exposure vaccine failures have occurred in the United States.
You were told wrong. As long as you get the PEP during the incubation period, before symptoms start, it is effective, and the incubation period can last to several months or years.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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