Page 10 | Bat flew into my hair, AIBU to seek further advice?

Patriciastaser · 17/08/2026 22:01

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 17/08/2026 22:00

The NHS protocol is to call 111 who will arrange a vaccine. As they've completely dropped the ball I would call back, now, and be very clear that you meet the criteria for needing the vaccine.

If they're still not helpful, honestly, I would go to A&E tonight because waiting is not going to help anything and might be very bad indeed.

This. Good grief, so much batshit crazy advice on this thread.

EasternStandard · 17/08/2026 22:01

Looking it up there is a tiny risk of rabies

I’d get a jab, I mean you’ll probably be fine but the outcome is severe enough even if very tiny risk

BinNightTonight · 17/08/2026 22:00

Wait and see is the worst advice I've ever heard

IsThisLifeNow · 17/08/2026 22:00

I'd phone your GP first thing and say it's an emergency, given its on your head potentially, not A&E Tonight

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 17/08/2026 22:00

The NHS protocol is to call 111 who will arrange a vaccine. As they've completely dropped the ball I would call back, now, and be very clear that you meet the criteria for needing the vaccine.

If they're still not helpful, honestly, I would go to A&E tonight because waiting is not going to help anything and might be very bad indeed.

Bitzee · 17/08/2026 22:00

Bats in the UK can carry rabies and it’s not always possible to know if you’ve been bitten. The risk is low but it isn’t zero. You need the treatment. Call 111 back and if they aren’t on it then go to A&E.

TheYorkshirePudding · 17/08/2026 21:59

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

RetainersinSpainnotontheplane · 17/08/2026 21:59

YourTidyGreyRobin · 17/08/2026 21:54

DO NOT waste A&Es time.

Show quote history

She’s gonna waste a hell of a lot more NHS resources if she contracts bloody rabies isn’t she?!

PrettyLittleRose · 17/08/2026 21:58

SameOldMe · 17/08/2026 21:30

Sitting in the garden and i bet flew into my head, no obvious marks or bites but terrified me ! Called 111 and they said as no scratches or bites just wait and see. It flew into my hair and in the panic i have no idea if it made contact or not. AIBU to call back and ask for a second opinion? Appreciate this if the second bat post in the last few days.

You'll be fine!

Tulipvase · 17/08/2026 21:58

SameOldMe · 17/08/2026 21:54

I had a shower immediately and scrubbed my head and cant feel any scratches or bites but decided to google which directed me to 111. Can it wait till the morning or a&e?

Good.

Do you have an out of hours A&E type thing you could go to and ask? Clearly the person on 111 hasn’t a clue.

Again, it’s online info but that suggests you have 24 hours grace to get the vaccine.

RetainersinSpainnotontheplane · 17/08/2026 21:57

SameOldMe · 17/08/2026 21:54

I had a shower immediately and scrubbed my head and cant feel any scratches or bites but decided to google which directed me to 111. Can it wait till the morning or a&e?

Ideally within 24 hours post exposure.

helpfulperson · 17/08/2026 21:56

pimplebum · 17/08/2026 21:35

THERE IS NO RABIES IN THE Uk !!!!

Show quote history

https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/bats-and-disease/bats-and-disease-in-the-uk/bats-and-rabies please check your facts before you shout at people.

borborygmus1 · 17/08/2026 21:56

There is no wait and see with bat bites. 50% of people bitten had no idea they were. You need urgent vaccination +/- immunoglobulin.

It travels millimetres per day towards the central nervous system. It is almost universally fatal once it reaches the CNS (probably >99.9% fatal once someone develops any symptoms) and if you were bitten on your head, you would have a much shorter time before developing symptoms than someone e.g. bitten on their foot, due to a bite's proximity to the central nervous system.

What 111 has told you is dangerous and negligent. Get help immediately and don't stop pushing for support until your are vaccinated/receive immunoglobulin.

Original poster

SameOldMe · 17/08/2026 21:54

I had a shower immediately and scrubbed my head and cant feel any scratches or bites but decided to google which directed me to 111. Can it wait till the morning or a&e?

OP posts:

YourTidyGreyRobin · 17/08/2026 21:54

GirlsInGreen · 17/08/2026 21:42

Yes. Go to A & E explain what has happened. There is protocol.

DO NOT waste A&Es time.

Tulipvase · 17/08/2026 21:50

SameOldMe · 17/08/2026 21:47

I’ve got curly hair it got stuck and I went into a blind panic not knowing what is was and worried it was bat couldn’t believe it when a bat flew off. Called 111 and they said if I have symptoms call back but it’s too late by then.

As much as I think it is very unlikely, I wasn’t aware of the updates guidance ( thanks to who ever posted the leaflet).

Guidance I have just read recommends washing the area with soap and water( followed by the vaccine). I would at least have a thorough shower while deciding on next steps.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 17/08/2026 21:49

SameOldMe · 17/08/2026 21:47

I’ve got curly hair it got stuck and I went into a blind panic not knowing what is was and worried it was bat couldn’t believe it when a bat flew off. Called 111 and they said if I have symptoms call back but it’s too late by then.

What the hell?!

Call them back and speak to an actual competent adult, or just go straight to A&E. Yes, potential rabies exposure is an emergency before someone tells me your arm isn't hanging off.

And put in a complaint about the absolute melon you spoke to, that's appalling.

Slowlorissa · 17/08/2026 21:48

It’s ok. Don’t panic. Go to bed and go to a&e in the morning with the leaflet the person above has kindly linked.

Original poster

SameOldMe · 17/08/2026 21:47

I’ve got curly hair it got stuck and I went into a blind panic not knowing what is was and worried it was bat couldn’t believe it when a bat flew off. Called 111 and they said if I have symptoms call back but it’s too late by then.

OP posts:

RetainersinSpainnotontheplane · 17/08/2026 21:45

I’m usually pretty laissez-faire about stuff like this but not rabies. You don’t fuck with that. Even if there’s a teensy weensy itty bitty chance I am not gambling on it.

It’s fucking RABIES!!

Defintely present at A&E and get the vaccine. You can’t be certain it didn’t break the skin.

The girl in the US who survived by being put in the coma didn’t think the bat had bitten her either.

Theextraordinaryisintheordinary · 17/08/2026 21:45

Call 111. They will advise

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 17/08/2026 21:45

111 are wrong. Arm yourself with the info from the link PP posted and call them back.

You need to have the post exposure rabies vaccine course.

Bat bites and scratches can cause rabies even in the UK. There is no treatment once symptoms start, and bat bites and scratches are often painless and don't leave a mark.

You need the vaccines if there is even a slight chance of having been bitten or scratched. There is no benefit to 'wait and see', only very serious risk.

RandomUsernameHere · 17/08/2026 21:45

Rabies does actually exist in bats in the UK, although it’s rare. Not trying to scare you OP, but all the posters saying rabies doesn’t exist at all here are incorrect.

RecorderOrder · 17/08/2026 21:44

There are so many incorrect statements on this thread…

Bat flew into my hair, AIBU to seek further advice?

Tulipvase · 17/08/2026 21:43

CatherinedeBourgh · 17/08/2026 21:38

There is very little, if any, rabies in the UK and a bat flying into your hair and immediately getting off is not really sufficient contact, in the case in the article the bat was on the boy's nose and mouth, and it wasn't known for how long.

And was also in Canada, not here.