Freaking out

I am not sure if this is the correct forum, if it is please move to the correct forum.

My story is short in nature but long in wind.

3 weeks ago, I was bitten by a stray cat while camping 1200 miles away in Texas. that is along story. but I had to retrieve the cat from the wheel well of the retnal car I was driving. It was not aggressive and showed no signs of agression until, I believe, when it saw a dog. it bit me. then ran down the hil to a cluster of trees. at first we were not able to find the cat until I got back with the local sheriff, and we found the cat. took it to the humane shelter and the put it down and had it sent for testing. the cat came back clean.

this is where my problems start. I am now having fears that 1 of a # of things is occurring. I have never freaked out like this before, and it is really starting to scare me. I am having visions that the humane people tested the wrong cat, or we got the wrong cat. so that being beside, since last thursday, I talked to an oncall emergency type person and they said there is no real way to test and that the virus can be dormant for up to a year. SO NOW for the last 5 days all I can think about is what animals I have touched, where did I run into a bat, why do I have this headache, when I don't know if I really have a headache. something like having the symptoms, but not having them of infection, if that makes sense. I think I am giving myself the symptoms.

I am just really freaked out and not sure why I think I must be infrected. I am going to see my DR. tonight to discuss with them about this. Any advice or anything someone can tell me about why I am feeling like this or if I am just losing my mind, but I want to stop freaking out.

Thank you in advance for your patience and replies.

Hi,

I think that this is the correct forum, so, don't worrya bout that particular part. Viruses can remain dormant for a long time but this type of virus is very rare. Basically, if you picked-up an infection from this cat, you would have been ill by now. So, stop worrying because you are fine and healthy! The on-call emergency person was probably just showing-off their knowledge on viruses to you when you talked to them.

Really - trust me on this - you're fine.

Take care,
Kevin

Thank you for your reply Kevin. Google can be your best search engine and worst nightmare dependng on what you are looking for.

yea I actually went to the emergency room last night to go ahead and get the rabies shots. they told me I couldn't get them based on the facts that I gave them. thanks to the national shortage of the vaccine.

I am still a little freaked out even after they said from my story it is a very small chance I could be infrected. I still have a pounding head ache and stomach pain, which may be caused by an ulcer I think I have developed. both of which are symptoms of infection.

I am trying to stay positive and get these thoughts out of my head. It is working a little, but I still have the concern. I have talked to and ER dr, and ifectious disease Dr, and my dr, and all 3 have said it is a small chance based on my facts. my only problem is that i am 2nd guessing my story. sheesh. going back to my praying and positive thoughts.

Hey,

Are you sure that your ulcer and headache aren't due to your excessive worrying? It wouldn't be the first time that I've heard about excessive worrying causing such things! When you worry, your body produces chemicals, the long-term effect of which can cause such problems.

Just let go of this... ...you are fine, trust me.

Kevin

I am almost sure that they are caused by my excessive worrying. but I found a little bite on my chest that looks like a bug bit. how often would bats actually attack humans? and wouldn't I know if a bat attaced me? I know it wasn't while I was sleeping because my parent were in the camper we camped in as well. not sure where I could have encountered one other than the camp. to my recolections I don't remember seeing any bats when I have been out side at night, but then again I wasn't looking for them. Man I wish I could just get over this. I do appreciate the replies back kevin. I was feeling better but still have the headache and stomach pains. it isn't the cat anymore, now it is worrying that I encountered a bat somewhere.

I mean what are the chances that I could get bit by a bat? our camper doesn't have any openings that they could really get into. going to the bathrooms at the campsite, there are lights, wouldn't I see something flying, or fluttering around me?

In general, an animal will only attack you if it feels threatened by you. So, just use your head and don't invade their 'space'. Only a select few animals attack humand for no apparent reason - the rest just attack if they feel threatened.

Are you a hypochondriac?

Kevin

not every really worried this much about something, but with this instance, I am feeling like I am...this is making me feel very much like a one. I think it is more that I have never really delt with a situation like this before with the fact there is no sure answer, yes or no. just a wait and see, and go from there. that is making me question everything right now.

rabid animals will attack without notice. I know the cat was not as it did not attack until it got scared. Bats on the other hand, well I dont' know enough about them, other than that they can bite you and if you are sleeping you will not really know since they have a numbing agent in their saliva.

I do think I am just freaking over something small, but trust me, I have never done this before, and i just don't know what to think right now.

Hi again,

I do feel bad for you because I know what it's like to obsess about something like this. Maybe you should look at it from a different angle though: Like, what exactly is it about your personality that is making you worry excessively about this. Maybe something happened throughout your childhood that worried you a lot, and that has turned you into a 'worrying' adult.

I dunno... ...am I making any sense at all?

yes, it makes sense, the only problem is I have never obessed over anything like this before. this is the first time I have worried this much. everyone worries a little about something or a lot of things. I do worry sometimes, but nothing like this. off my head, i can't think of anything that could have caused this kind of worrying. I do believe that I am worrying over nothing, just wish I could convince my head of that. I am slowly getting there. just need to convince myself that I am ok. cuz deep down I know I am. but it is easier said then done. so I am taking it day by day.