A Virginia doctor has recently shared a startling experience to raise awareness about rabies, after waking to a bat attempting to enter her mouth. Dr. Krista Edelman, a gastroenterologist residing in a historic home in Richmond, recounted her eerie encounter in a viral Instagram video posted on August 21.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/bat-063026-1-fede81baaa074e0d9b19b3669fdb6a9a.jpg)
Dr. Edelman described how she was startled from her sleep by a dream in which a small mouse was trying to climb into her mouth. In her drowsy state, she instinctively reached up, only to touch something unexpectedly slimy and hairy. It was at that moment she realised it was a bat. “This bat was legitimately trying to burrow between my lips into my mouth,” she detailed, recalling the moment.
Reacting swiftly, Edelman threw the bat across the room before alerting her husband to the unusual situation. Knowing the risk of rabies associated with bats, she explained that they needed to catch the bat for testing. Her husband managed to secure the creature, allowing for it to be checked for the rabies virus.
The incidence of rabies cases has been on the rise in the United States, with bats being a frequent source due to the minor nature of their bite marks. According to experts, such bites can be as small as the “tip of a pencil,” often going unnoticed by unsuspecting victims. Dr. Adam Landsee, the assistant medical director at St. Mary’s Hospital, where Edelman works, emphasised the importance of treating any encounter with bats seriously. “If you wake up in a room with a bat in your house, you kind of have to assume the worst,” he advised.
Rabies is a potentially fatal disease if not addressed promptly. While it can be effectively prevented with early treatment, the symptoms that emerge once the disease takes hold can lead to a severe and painful decline in health. Common manifestations include seizures, hallucinations, and paralysis, coupled with a refusal to drink due to fear of water, a condition known as hydrophobia.
As a medical professional, Dr. Edelman felt it vital to share her experience, admitting, “I was a little humbled. I thought I knew the basics, and yet I found myself uncertain in that moment.” Although the bat ultimately tested negative for rabies, both Edelman and her husband began the necessary treatment as a precautionary measure.
Dr. Edelman stressed the importance of being proactive in such scenarios. “If you are exposed to a bat, or if you wake up to find one nearby, it’s crucial to seek medical advice immediately,” she cautioned. Emergency rooms are equipped to administer rabies immunoglobulin and vaccines, which are critical in preventing the onset of the disease.
Her story serves as a chilling reminder of the potential dangers lurking in unexpected places, and the necessity of treating encounters with bats with the seriousness they deserve. As rabies continues to pose a risk, awareness and prompt action can make all the difference in safeguarding health. Dr. Edelman’s experience acts as a wake-up call, urging everyone to be vigilant and informed.