Many people assume that a bat bite looks like Dracula-like fang marks, but in reality, the tiny teeth of the animal are too small to leave any obvious mark on human skin. The bite may look more like a scratch or even just a red area on the skin. However, this doesn’t mean that the victim didn’t get bitten.
A recent article published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports on a 42-year-old Brazilian man who was admitted to the Basic Health Unit in Niteroi for complaints of multiple bat bites. The patient was unable to recall how he got the bites, but it is probable that they were from a bat that flew into his room while he was sleeping.
When a bat bites a person, it typically feels like a pin prick and fades within thirty minutes. During this time, a person will also likely experience prickling or itching around the bite. If the bat is rabid, symptoms will start soon after that, but rabies vaccines are highly effective against the virus if they are given as soon as possible.
If someone suspects a bat bite, they should wash the wound immediately and seek medical advice right away. The doctor will determine whether the bite is serious and if the person needs to receive a rabies vaccination. In addition, the doctor will know whether a tetanus shot is required.