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A 30-year-old male asked:
Afraid of rabies, previously vaccinated. walking outside on bright, sunny day (no rain). single drop of liquid fell from tree and lands directly in eye/tear-duct. couldn't identify source of liquid. possible bat saliva exposure or being paranoid?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Elizabeth Finley-Belgradanswered
Child Psychiatry 36 years experience
Not likely: rinse you eye with clean water, if you have no symptoms of discomfort you are probably safe, if you do check with you medical dr or urgent care center. Rabies would be a real long shot
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed Dec 01, 2022

Dr. Jan Lei Iwata commented
Ophthalmology 28 years experience
More like bird than bat in this case!
Jun 11, 2015

Dr. Richard Carlinanswered
Ophthalmology 52 years experience
Paranoid: The most likely liquid falling from a tree would be water. Did it rain recently? The odds of a bat salivating in a tree on a sunny day is very very rare. Bats like dark places to rest during the day. Also, bats drooling? Also very rare. The saliva from a bat causing rabies comes from a bite, not drool. Also very rare to get rabies through the membranes of the eyes. So, please don't worry.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed Dec 01, 2022

Dr. Silviu Pasniciucanswered
Internal Medicine 29 years experience
Rabies transmission is not likely in above circumstances, bats are not out drooling sunny days and ultimately you are vaccinated. Check cdc.gov which has reliable information regarding rabies transmission. Talk to your doc about your fears as health related anxiety, specific to rabies is likely.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Dec 01, 2022
Last updated Dec 1, 2022
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