Squirrel scratches? Chances of Rabies or Tetanus

[Misg]

Anyone bitten by a squirrel or mistakenly scratched by one in the UK?

Out in Hyde Park on Sunday and very brave Squirrel ran up my leg when my back was turned. I do not interact with wildlife at all so as soon as that happened I screamed and it jumped off straight. The jump was very light and didn't think anything of it, dusted my leg squeamish about lice and parasites and set off.

Knowing me, after an hour of getting home, quickly Googled Squirrel diseases thinking of Roundworms or something and then saw the dreaded Rabies. Automatic fear came over me and then two hours of continuous searching and reading that relieved me to a certain extent as 1. Rabies is rare in the UK, 2 you have to be bitten or scratched by rabid animal to get it and 3 Rabies is very rare in squirrels compared to animals who are more prone to them. I did state certain extent, so I was still worried as I had an open cut on the back of my hand 2 days prior to the squirrel-leg-run and dusted off my leg with my hand. Another way of getting rabies is saliva getting into an open wound, so my mind was semi at rest.

Fast forward two days (plus hours of research on rabies and squirrels) I notice two light superficial scratches on the calfs of my legs. They seemed quite fresh compared to something 2 days old so I shrugged it off but it could've been when the squirrel ran up my leg. It was very light light run, almost like if someone was to pat you on the leg so I didn't look for scratches on the day (stupidly)

The next day, after hours of research about rabies and now Tetanus I am still unsure of Tetanus, Rabies or whether the scratches came from me or squirrel.

Normally when I have health anxiety, after a couple of hours I am fine. Four days later this is really worrying me.

Has anyone been bitten or scratched by a squirrel in the UK? Were you given a rabies and/or Tetanus shot?

Am I right to be unsure?

I have seeked medical attention today and they said I was due for a tetanus shot for the scratches but didn't mention rabies. I want to mention it to them but do not want to come across as weird. I was already getting weird responses because of it being a squirrel.

Squirrels in parks are very brave because they are used to being fed by humans. This squirrel was going up to anyone doing feeding gestures, this happens alot in London parks. I've heard of squirrels jumping on people and trying to get food from bags.

Any messages will help. Thank you so much for reading this long query.

[Hidden]

Hi Misg.

Yes squirrels do seem to be more daring these days..

I had one run after me in a U.K. park...I couldn’t believe it..

I’ve never been bitten by a squirrel so can’t speak from that kind of experience and sorry, and I’m not a medical expert by any means.

Please don’t feel you will be thought of as weird to ask questions that concern you, rabies is extremely rare here and it’s unlikely ..I saw this from public health England as follows;

‘Human rabies is extremely rare in the UK. No human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats have been reported since 1902. A single case of human rabies acquired from a bat was reported in 2002 in Scotland; this individual had sustained a number of bat bites.

Dated...12 Nov 2018

gov.uk › government › news

Googling symptoms or situations does worry us so much, as they do tend to, provide the worse case scenarios ...So instead of that do try to ask when you go for your precautionary tetanus injection and book it in soon, so you are not getting yourself anxious.

Totally agree squirrels are becoming so brave nowadays..nothing weird about asking health questions to health professionals,,.

Good wishes

Xxx

[Sillysausage234 in reply to Hidden]

🐿.....😊..great reply I’m just watching a baby squirrel on my bird feeder

[Misg in reply to Hidden]

Hello, thanks so much for your reply. Reading everyone's response on here has calmed me down alot. I called in and my last tetanus shot was when I was 6 so I'll go in for another booster.

I had the one that ran up my leg slightly chase me as well lool. I see the same thing with alot of squirrel encounters at these London parks.

Again thank you for your response.

[Hidden in reply to Misg]

Your welcome 😊🌺🌺🌺

[dbeck128]

I'm not sure if this will help any, but I'm sure that squirrel has made many rounds on other people! And the chances of you having rabies are slim. I too am a fellow hypochondriac. I know the agonizing pain that accompanies the void of the unknown.

Maybe try staying off Google..... easier said than done. 🙄 and try to get a doc to see you while you get your shot for Tetanus?

[Misg in reply to dbeck128]

Thank you, I am always worrying. I have tried to ease the googling and that has helped. I have called in to my doctors and I am due in for a Tetanus booster shot as my last one was when I was 6. Thank you so much for your reply.