Hypochondria of Rabies

[puppyswan]

Hypochondria of the viral disease rabies is a lot different than normal hypochondria. Because rabies does not show symptoms until it is too late, people who have hypochondria of rabies agonize over the possibility of infection rather than the symptoms. The guides to overcoming hypochondria in this forum deal with diseased with symptoms. How can I get over the fear of rabies?

[puppyswan]

Anyone have tips?

[mollyfin]

Take precautions to avoid rabies exposure.  Unless you regularly make out with wild raccoons, that shouldn't be difficult.

Remember how extremely rare rabies is, even when people are exposed.  You can count the yearly number of rabies-related fatalities in the USA on one hand.

Stop thinking about it.  Do whatever you can to put it out of your mind. 

Don't watch Old Yeller or that rabies episode of Scrubs, or anything else that'll make you think about it. 

If you are somehow possibly exposed to rabies (strange or wild animal bite), see a doctor promptly and ask their opinion on what should be done.   But that's not going to happen.  Because most people don't share space with wild bats and raccoons on a regular basis. 

[puppyswan]

I live in Austin, which has the highest amount of bats. I live next to the woods in Austin, too. I keep seeing little brown things flying about. Should I be scared?

[icykarma]

I had a rather long struggle with rabies fear. Essentially though, it's extremely unlikely that you'll get it. Even with those who get bitten by animals carrying rabies, you're not likely to get infected. It has a very short lifespan outside of the body and if you clean the wound fairly quickly you're not likely to get it.

[Smalm]

I live near woods too (well actally I live in a fairly wooded state in the USA) and I think that you'll be fine as longas you don't habndle the bats also I fear bolth the slow death, the symptoms, and the possible risk of infection and I fear it from almost anything outside, even if it's really irrational.. the air. Meds or theraphy could work but I do neither, I just find distractions, I live with the same fear puppyswan you can message me whenever you like for I am a frequent user on here