Rabies scare!

[Globetrotter34]

Hello.

I am in Koh Samui at the moment, walked home one night, and a guy threw a "tourist monkey" (gibbon?) in my arms, taking a photo with the monkey. (I didn't ask for that ofc, the guy just did it). I thought nothing more of this, until after a few days when I looked at the photo and remembered that the monkey for a short moment sat on my shoulder, leaning over my head and holding on to my head for balance. Then I started thinking about "what if he had a disease" and was so close to me, holding my head and all, and started googling. That's when I read about, yes, rabies. My initial reaction seemed to be logical, thinking "oh well, he didnt bite, so it should be fine". After that I saw the other photo, from moments before, when he appeared to try to lick his paw (foot? whatever). That very same paw was moments later very close to my neck area. In total, on day 9 from monkey encounter I went to the hospital for advice, since I couldnt let go of this.

The doctor said all should be fine if you didnt receive any marks from the monkey. So I was relieved and went home. Thats when a weird thing happened. Very near to where the monkeys foot had been (by my neck), a small mole (like a very small skin flap), started to pain me a little. It was red/pink around it, and after a while it fell off that same evening. At this point I started to get scared for real, and thought "what if the monkey did lick his foot, and somehow just after that made a small scratch there, which caused the redness and the mole to fall off". Then I could possibly have gotten his saliva into my body!

Ok, so I went back to the hospital after about a day, (day 11 from possible exposure), having read everything about rabies online. I explained to another doctor about the new facts, and he didnt seem very interested in it, said it was a low risk, but that I could start rabies shots if I wanted to. I asked about HRIG (immunoglobuline), and he said it usually wasnt given in a case like this, but that I could decide for myself if I wanted it. Seeing the price I actually didnt take it, cause it was about 1100 american dollars or so. (I was between insurances the week this happened, so stupid, I know, ) So I would have to pay for it myself which I was doubting to do since the doctor wasnt insisting or anything.

My fear is at the moment quite big and I have a hard time letting this go, just wondering all the time if I started the vaccine too late, or if I should have gotten the HRIG too... if I should try to raise the money from my home country/family, somehow, or if that would be an overreaction to the situation. I read somewhere in a medical report online that usually HRIG wasnt given when there was a monkey involved(?) but I have no idea why, they didnt say.

Timewise: I still have, (according to various internet sources) about a day from now(!) to decide whether to get the HRIG. As I understand it I could have it done same day as the shot no. 2. (?) After shot no. 1 but not after shot no. 2, I have read.

I have no "real" symtoms as of yet, except that I imagine a slight stiffness in the shoulder near where the monkey sat. That might just be imagination though, cause of my fear. Now on friday (day 14 post-exp.) getting second shot. And then 3 more, since i had no pre-exp. shots. I am really, really scared now that it might be too late for me...?? :-( I can't gather any secure source telling me if I am somewhat safe, or not. (Like: "If you dont have symtoms within 3 days from the 2nd shot, you should be fine", or something like that..)

If anyone has any words of consolation or hope, it would be greatly appreciated. I am so sorry for the very long post, but I dont know that Ive been this scared in a long, long time. To anyone out there: Please, please, dont get close to animals you dont know in countries where rabies exists, it is NOT worth the risk and the fear afterwards. I don't even know when I can safely say that I am "out of the woods". This is a nightmare... Might have to just... wait, and hope to live!

[Tywais]

Unhelpful and inflammatory post removed.

[Sheryl]

From what you describe, the chances of contacting rabies from that monkey are virtually nil. The animal's saliva has to get into your blood. (And, of course, the animal has to have rabies to begin with). With no visible break in the skin, not going to happen. Likely that the neck lesion is unrelated.

No responsible medical professional would give rabies immunoglobulin in such a case. The risks associated with the immune globulin far outweigh the very remote possibility of having come into contact with the rabies virus.

However having started the rabies series you should complete it. It will provide partial protection against any future bites, which in Thailand is important.

[Globetrotter34]

Oh, thanks for your reply!

I don't really know what risks there are with the HRIG, as many sites I read (mostly medical sites actually), never mention any really big risks. In some sites I have seen that they say that "rarely" can people get severe allergic reactions. Or that there is a very "remote" possibility that the HRIG could be infected with something, since its made out of blood. But most sites say that the production of HRIG is very controlled, and that no known transmissions of diseases from HRIG exist.

But I am no expert at all. Maybe there are some serious risks. The thai doctor said something like that also, that there could be a risk in taking HRIG, although he didnt elaborate on what the risk could be. He seemed to think that the HRIG was unnecessary in my case, and although i WANT to trust his opinion, it gets harder to do it since he seemed so indifferent/bored during my visit... ( I want to say I have no prejudice against Thai doctors, at all. The first doctor I met was wonderful and really interested in my story.)

So, in any case, I decided I will call my home country's "medical advice number" today, and just alk this thru with them, to get a second opinion.

I did get somewhat calmer reading your post, Sheryl, as I have many times tried to think exactly what you write. It seems highly unlikely that exactly this particular monkey should have rabies, and even if he did, he did not bite me, which I understand is the biggest risk of all, concerning rabies.

If anyone else has positive experiences, stories that ended well, etc. Bring them on. You can help bring one person in the world some more peace of mind!

I thank you deeply Sheryl, for making my day a little bit easier! :-)

[Sheryl]

The IG risk is allergic reaction, which can be very severe.

By all means call a home medical advice number if you like. As soon as they hear there was no bite, they will likely tell you what I told you.

If you want further reassurrance and can return to where that monkey is, ascertain that it remains healthy.