Your reminder that rabies has no symptoms until it's too late, and its a awful disease to die of. If you find a bat in your house and there is any chance it bit you (sometimes its hard to tell), go get a rabies shot series
this post was submitted on 02 Jul 2026
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It doesn't even need to bite you. Licking, scratching, anything that results in saliva contact is a candidate for rabies transmission. If you come into contact with a bat or may have come into contact with a bat or other wild animal, go get your vaccination.
You typically have some time to do so but earlier is always better.
Yep... any bodily fluid contact (especially saliva - the bat was on the kid's nose and mouth)
Takes a whole month and involves giant needles but absolutely worth it. I had to do it at 3 years old and I still remember that shit like it was yesterday. I wonder if I'll carry immunity for life now or if I'll need to do it again if I come into contact with questionable animals?
You'll need to do it again if you come into contact with questionable animals. Having a sufficiently recent rabies vaccine (and I expect you are well past that window) means you don't need the immunoglobin that non-vaccinated people get at the start of their rabies treatment for a head start on fighting the virus, but you do still need follow-up shots. Though I've heard the immunoglobin is usually the most unpleasant part of the process.
Regardless, I'll be staying away from any situations that could result in rabies. Thank you for the info.
That's terrible. Poor kid.
Once the symptoms start it's almost always too late. Especially if not treated correctly right away, as in this case.
God, that's awful. Rabies has always terrified me... no symptoms until it's too late, and fatal basically 100% of the time. Rabies prophylaxis can be a pain, but if a wild animal has broken your skin or licked broken skin, or if you wake up with a bat in the room with you, contact a doctor immediately.
Also, most rabies deaths occur in people who have more limited ability to access healthcare. Consider supporting https://rabiesalliance.org/ to fight this incredibly, unspeakably awful, completely preventable with timely treatment disease.
I thought everyone was vaccinated against rabies in Canada. The article doesn't mention if he was vaccinated.
Rabies vaccines are only effective for 3 years, and even if you're vaccinated, direct exposure results in an immediate booster series. The only difference in post-exposure prophylaxis is those already vaccinated don't require rabies immunoglobulin, only boosters.
Thanks!
Jesus how awful