What Do You Do If You're Bitten By a Bat?
Most bites by bats are not immediately life-threatening. Bats do not transmit poison via bites, and are not likely to be carrying a disease that can kill you instantly. However, that doesn't mean that a bat bite is something to take lightly.
Cleaning the Wound
Unless you are inside of a hospital or medical care facility and recieve immediate care and assistance for your bat bite, we recommend washing the bit out immediately with warm water and an anti-septic. Then wrap loosely with cloth, applying light pressure to stop bleeding.
Seeking Medical Attention
It is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible after you quickly clean the wound from your bat bite. Trained medical professionals can give you expert advice on how to take care of your wound, as well as administer any necessary antibiotics or immunizations. Bats have been known to carry all kinds of diseases that can compromise your health significantly.
Should I Be Afraid of Rabies?
Yes and no. Rabies is a very treatable affliction for humans, however, if left untreated, it can become more difficult to treat over time. It is important that you seek medical attention and advise your medical care professional that you have been bitten by a bat, and that you are unsure of whether or not that bat was carrying the rabies virus.
What Other Kinds of Diseases Can Bats Carry?
Bats, like many other mammals, can transmit blood-borne illnesses and pathogens via bite or contact with their blood. In addition to what types of diseases bats can carry themselves, they can also transmit diseases via their feces. Read our article concerning bat excrement for more information about this topic.
Children and Bat Bites
Take the time to educate your children about bats and other wildlife creatures from a young age. Children are less likely to tell you about a bite from a wild animal if they are not knowledgable about how dangerous that creature can be. Bats are amazing creatures and eat pesky household insects like flies and mosquitoes, but their bites can carry infectious diseases and always hurt.