'There's a bat in my mouth’: Richmond doctor's bat nightmare goes viral

Key Points:

• Dr. Krista Edelman, a Richmond gastroenterologist, woke up to find a bat attempting to get into her mouth, an experience she shared on Instagram to raise awareness about bat encounters in homes.
• She emphasized the importance of catching the bat alive for rabies testing rather than killing it, as rabies transmission risk is high and immediate medical treatment is critical.
• Medical experts warn that bat bites can be hard to detect due to their small teeth, so anyone waking up with a bat in their room should assume potential exposure and seek prompt medical advice.
• Virginia health officials report an increase in bat submissions for rabies testing this year, advising people to trap bats safely and contact local health departments for guidance and rapid testing.
• Edelman’s bat tested negative for rabies, and she hopes her story helps others understand the seriousness of such encounters and the proper steps to take.