What if you are bitten by a bat

One of the most common fears associated with bats is that of getting bitten by one. This has less to do with the whole Dracula vampire myth, and a lot more to do with the fact that some bats are carriers of the deadly rabies virus. Ignored or left untreated for too long, the virus can wreak havoc on your central nervous system and will eventually prove fatal. While it's rare for humans to develop rabies (usually because they are treated in time), bats are considered the number one reason why people get rabies in the first place, in the United States.

And since bats are quite a common visitor to human dwellings, the smart thing to do is educate yourself on the appropriate steps to follow if you get bitten by a bat.

First of all, you need to understand the relationship between bats and rabies.

It's a common misconception that all bats are carriers of the infamous rabies virus. That is not, in fact, the case. Actually, the large majority of bats are not infected with rabies, studies have found. If a bat is infected, it will display some obvious signs which you need to look out for:

• Foaming at the mouth - easily one of the most common signs of rabid animals, but by no means the only one to look for.
  
  

• Unusually aggressive behavior - bats are generally shy, reclusive creatures. They do not favor direct confrontation and will avoid humans whenever possible, largely because of their difference in size. If a bat displays clearly aggressive behavior, it can be a sign that it has rabies.
  
  

• Unusual flying patterns or inability to fly - since the virus affects the central nervous system, bats that fly in weird patterns or have trouble flying altogether may be affected.
  
  

• Strange locations - as largely nocturnal and shy creatures, bats prefer dark, cool areas, where they aren't likely to come across other creatures. If, on the other hand, you see a bat out in an open location such as your front room, lawn, etc., usually during the daytime, it may be a sign of rabies infection.
  
  

If you have even the slightest suspicion that a bat on your property is infected with rabies, do not attempt to capture or handle the creature yourself. Rather call a professional wildlife removal service and inform them of your suspicion.

It's quite common for people to get bitten by weak bats they found lying on the ground and attempt to pick up. Never, ever handle a bat without wearing appropriate protection. 

So what do you do if you get bitten by a bat?

The first thing to do, if bitten, is take it seriously, regardless if the bat in question is infected or not. You can't really know if a bat has rabies or not unless it's tested in a laboratory, so always assume the worst, and follow these steps:

1. First, wash the wound thoroughly (but gently) with soap and water.
   
   
2. If there is heavy or moderate bleeding, apply pressure so as to stop the blood from flowing.
   
   
3. Seek immediate medical assistance. The bat (once dead) will need to be tested by taking a small sample from its brain to determine whether or not it's infected with rabies. If you've previously been vaccinated against rabies, the doctor will still need to inject the bitten area twice with the anti-rabies vaccine. If you've never been vaccinated, the doctor will first administer a shot of Human Rabies Immunoglobin antibody directly to the wound, and then shoot up the muscle around the wound five times with the vaccine. 
   
   

If you're not sure you've been bitten, you'll still want to seek medical assistance. Of course, the above doesn't apply if the bat tests negative for rabies. Still, as a preventive measure, it's recommended to have the vaccine if you live in an area where bats are a common sighting. This is also true for your family and pets.