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[HEALTH] · United States · 12 sources

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Virginia doctor shares warning after bat encounter

Dr. Krista Edelman, a gastroenterologist in Richmond, Virginia, shared a viral account of waking up to find a bat attempting to enter her mouth. Edelman initially mistook the sensation for a dream involving a small mouse, but realized the animal was a bat upon feeling its coarse hair.

Following the encounter, Edelman sought medical guidance from an infectious disease specialist. She was advised to seek immediate treatment because bat bites or scratches can be difficult to detect and carry a high risk of rabies transmission, particularly when exposure occurs near the brain. She subsequently received care at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Medical professionals, including Dr. Adam Landsee of St. Mary’s Hospital, use the incident to issue a public health warning. Experts advise that any contact with a bat inside a home should be treated as a potential exposure to rabies, as the virus can cause fatal damage to the nervous system if left untreated.

Entities

Adam Landsee · Krista Edelman · Richmond · St. Mary’s Hospital

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