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Original poster

Convinced im going to die of rabies or prison

193 replies

Anxiouspotat0 · 15/09/2026 20:00

(Yes we have a type of rabies here only in bats)
5 weeks ago I woke up with this mark on my hand.
Google lense said it could be a bat bite.
I went to urgent care who said it doesnt look like a bat bite, who contacted ukhsa / rabies team, who said because I didnt see a bat in the room I didnt qualify for the jabs. Since then I have been convinced im going to die. I even wrote a goodbye letter to my children. I sleep with the window open and I am convinced a bat flew in and bit me and flew out.

I then went on holiday and had a run in with a bat there and came home completely panicked. Id been having rabies symptoms for most of the holiday so I was horrifically anxious the whole time and this was just the cherry on top.

Then I stupidly over exaggerated the exposure/ what happened on holiday at urgent care. This was fueled by ny anxiety from the "bite" here and that id been having what in my head were rabies synptoms, and having another run in with a bat over there also, I wasnt thinking straight and it just came out in the moment. I regret it badly.

Ukhsa then recommended the jabs based on that but I panicked as I read lying/ over exaggerating and getting treatment as is a criminal offense/ fraud against the nhs. But I was just terrified, anxious, not thinking straight and wanted to not be scared anymore. I declined the jabs as im terrified of getting into trouble.i dont want to be a bad person. I just dont want to die.

I just want to be okay again. My mental health is in tatters, im not eating, cant stop crying, cant parent my children, can barely work, my hairs falling out, panic attacks.

I did admit to multiple doctors that I wasnt completely honest about the exposure and thats why I declined the jabs as they probably woukdnt have recommended them otherwise,
and one doctor told UKHSA this also, so there is now evidence I wasnt honest that can be used against me and im so scared.

A a&e doctor recommended I just get the jabs even though UKhsa woulsnt have rexommended tbem if I had not exaggerated, because my mental health is suffering so bad -- I had a full breakdown on him- but im convinced I will be convicted of fraud if I do. Id lose my job and what if I went to prison. I have kids..

But im convinced ill die if I dont get them.
Even though logically I know theres a chance it isnt a bat bite. But no doctors can tell me what it could be. Im just so scared.

Im having really scary thoughts as I just want this all to go away. I feel hopeless and trapped and im terrified

What would you do? Risk legal trouble and get them? Or risk rabies.

Convinced im going to die of rabies or prison
Convinced im going to die of rabies or prison
OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Minasama · 15/09/2026 20:04

Can you pay privately for the jabs?

Otherwise I would get them anyway to put your mind at rest.

You sound a little unwell, could it make sense to go back to the GP?

MNHQ
ImaniMumsnet · 15/09/2026 20:04

Evening.
We're just bobbing on here to say that we're so sorry to hear you're going through this, OP.
We hope you don't mind, but when these threads are flagged to us we like to link to our web-guides, which we hope may be helpful. If you'd like to, please do feel free to take a look at our Mental Health page.
Very best wishes from all at MNHQ Flowers

Mental Health Webguide | Mumsnet

A guide to information and services related to mental health support. Find reliable organisations and support services here.

https://www.mumsnet.com/i/mental-health-webguide

Uricon2 · 15/09/2026 20:06

You haven't got rabies. You do need to seek urgent help with your mental health, please phone your surgery and ask for an urgent appointment with a GP, and tell them everything.

spinningplatez · 15/09/2026 20:13

This is extreme anxiety. Please seek help from your GP. Anxiety is very common and - thankfully - treatable. Take care.
(I’m a former sufferer of anxiety now cured.)

Original poster
Anxiouspotat0 · 15/09/2026 20:20

spinningplatez · 15/09/2026 20:13

This is extreme anxiety. Please seek help from your GP. Anxiety is very common and - thankfully - treatable. Take care.
(I’m a former sufferer of anxiety now cured.)

Would you get the jabs

OP posts:
MrsBungle · 15/09/2026 20:20

You can pay for the jabs at a pharmacy.

Original poster
Anxiouspotat0 · 15/09/2026 20:22

MrsBungle · 15/09/2026 20:20

You can pay for the jabs at a pharmacy.

No, thats the pre travel ones. The post exposure ones are highly controlled and nhs only.

OP posts:
Skibididoo · 15/09/2026 20:23

You’re not going to be convicted of fraud because you exaggerated your symptoms. You sound like you are struggling immensely and I feel for you. In your position I’d honestly get the jabs for your own sanity. Speak to your GP in the first instance as they will be able to refer you back if that’s what they deem necessary. I’d call first thing in the morning. I hope you manage to feel better soon Flowers

user9764875954 · 15/09/2026 20:24

You sound very unwell OP. You need to see your GP urgently about your anxiousness.
How many people do you know that have caught rabies? The chances must be so tiny you’d have more chance of winning the euromillions twice. However if you think having the jabs would help have them - there’s no space for murders and rapists in prison so I very much doubt they’d be sending you there for having an unnecessary injection. I hope you feel better soon.

therapymedswhatelse · 15/09/2026 20:24

Are you on any anxiety medication OP? Would you take it if prescribed?

Original poster
Anxiouspotat0 · 15/09/2026 20:24

Skibididoo · 15/09/2026 20:23

You’re not going to be convicted of fraud because you exaggerated your symptoms. You sound like you are struggling immensely and I feel for you. In your position I’d honestly get the jabs for your own sanity. Speak to your GP in the first instance as they will be able to refer you back if that’s what they deem necessary. I’d call first thing in the morning. I hope you manage to feel better soon Flowers

If I get the jabs I will just be worried about being in trouble legally . There is no win here for me. I just want it all to stop

OP posts:
SilenceInside · 15/09/2026 20:26

Please seek help with regard to your extreme anxiety. Neither of the actions you mention will actually help to reduce your anxiety, they’re not the actual issue here.

I hope you are able to speak to a GP or other help and start accessing support for your mental health.

MigGirl · 15/09/2026 20:26

I would pay for the jobs. I'm not overly anxious person when it comes to medical things normally. But if you've had exposure to bats I would pay for them.

My main reasoning for this is because by the time you have symptoms of rabies, it's to late and 100% fatal. I know that probably doesn't help your anxiety but it's just the facts.

Original poster
Anxiouspotat0 · 15/09/2026 20:27

MigGirl · 15/09/2026 20:26

I would pay for the jobs. I'm not overly anxious person when it comes to medical things normally. But if you've had exposure to bats I would pay for them.

My main reasoning for this is because by the time you have symptoms of rabies, it's to late and 100% fatal. I know that probably doesn't help your anxiety but it's just the facts.

I cant. Nhs only for the post exposure ones :(

OP posts:
donttellmewhaticantdo · 15/09/2026 20:31

I feel for you op. I suffer from the same kind of health anxiety, and it can take over your whole life.

Earlier this year I was suffering from daily headaches. I was convinced I had a brain tumour. I went to my GP, who could see how anxious I was, and tried to reassure me that he didn't think it was a brain tumour. I had no other symptoms but I had convinced myself so much and caused myself so much anxiety that the anxiety started causing physical symptoms, which then fed back into the brain tumour worries. He referred me for a CT head scan, purely to put my mind at rest. It came back clear. He also started me on propranolol, which helps anxiety. My headaches then stopped. It was all anxiety driven.

For the sake of your mental health and anxiety, get the jabs. If they are offering it to you, then you won't get in trouble.

BugOnARugDrinkingTeaFromAMug · 15/09/2026 20:33

How long ago was the potential bite and how long would it take for rabies to show up in your system? Can you get a blood test to put your mind at rest?

I don't think you have rabies at all but if it would put your mind at rest it would be worth it.

Original poster
Anxiouspotat0 · 15/09/2026 20:34

BugOnARugDrinkingTeaFromAMug · 15/09/2026 20:33

How long ago was the potential bite and how long would it take for rabies to show up in your system? Can you get a blood test to put your mind at rest?

I don't think you have rabies at all but if it would put your mind at rest it would be worth it.

5 weeks. Can take a year plus which is why this is so horrible.

No, they have to dissect the brain :(

OP posts:
Autumnallaround · 15/09/2026 20:35

Hi op. I commented on your original thread before your holiday. I didn't think there was anything to worry about then and I don't think there is now.

This isn't about the bat anymore. It's about how you cope with an unravelling imagination and spiralling thoughts.

I'd go back to GP and say I have developed anxiety and I need help.

Its not a usual reaction for the majority of people to assume rabies or prison.

Everleigh13 · 15/09/2026 20:35

You will not be in trouble legally. I would go to my GP and just be honest about how you are feeling and what has happened and take their advice. It seems very likely that you have extreme health anxiety and are therefore going around and around in circles. If you can seek help you will be able to get out of this endless loop, make a decision about the jabs (you will not be in legal trouble) and get the support that you need.

Skibididoo · 15/09/2026 20:36

You will not get into trouble for taking them. Please call your GP tomorrow morning

therapymedswhatelse · 15/09/2026 20:37

Also OP I very much doubt there would be a conviction. You are not committing fraud in order to benefit financially, you’re doing it because of mental ill health. So please don’t panic about prison, they would not be interested in paying for the whole court process for that. They’d see it as a mental health issue as it’s clear you need that support.

Original poster
Anxiouspotat0 · 15/09/2026 20:37

Autumnallaround · 15/09/2026 20:35

Hi op. I commented on your original thread before your holiday. I didn't think there was anything to worry about then and I don't think there is now.

This isn't about the bat anymore. It's about how you cope with an unravelling imagination and spiralling thoughts.

I'd go back to GP and say I have developed anxiety and I need help.

Its not a usual reaction for the majority of people to assume rabies or prison.

If you had this mark and no doctor could give you an explanation would you ever assume it was a bat bite?

I dont know what to do anymore. I hope I dont wake up tomorrow

OP posts:
ItsABatFaceThing · 15/09/2026 20:38

You haven’t got rabies. You haven’t been bitten by a bat that flew in a window

you need t get urgent help for the real issue

asking whether you should get this jab is just wanting others to feed your anxiety. See your GP

ItsABatFaceThing · 15/09/2026 20:39

What you need to do is firmly tell yourself you have severe anxiety and you owe it to your children to seek help for that.

spinningplatez · 15/09/2026 20:40

Which country were you in when you were potentially bitten? If UK, rabies from bats is extremely rare.
And you don’t even know if you were bitten by a bat.
Do you have a history of of anxiety?
I would talk it all through with your GP anyway.