Overview
Rats can transmit diseases through their saliva and excreta. Additionally, they can harbour parasites that can transmit diseases, such as mites, fleas, and ticks.
Rats are usually not aggressive and will only bite if they feel threatened or cornered. Most likely, you won't get bitten unless you're handling them.
Even though most rat bites aren't serious, it's still a good idea to visit a doctor if you're bitten. However, you can also take some first aid measures to reduce the risk of infections.
What is Rat fever?
Rat-bite fever (RBF) refers to an infectious disease caused by bacteria that can be transmitted to humans by rodents. Rat fever is a zoonotic disease.
What if a rat bites you?
If a rat bites you, you must get immediate medical attention and follow the steps below:
- Wash that wound using soap and warm water.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment on the bite.
- Cover the wound using a clean bandage.
- See a healthcare provider for the infection treatment.
- Get a tetanus injection.
The rat-bite treatment at home follows the steps below:
- Wash the wound.
- Control bleeding
- Apply ointment
- Cover the wound.
- Remove jewellery
- See a doctor
- Get a tetanus injection.
- Trap the rat.
First Aid for Rat Bite/Scratch
If you get bitten by a rat, make sure to take the right first aid before visiting the doctor. First aid measures would help you clean the wound and prevent it from getting infected further.
- Wear a mask and keep your surroundings clean.
- Once the bleeding stops, clean the wound with a mild soap and warm water. Make sure you clean the wound completely, as there might be some soap particles on the skin that may later cause irritation.
- Use an antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with a dry dressing.
- Make sure you are not wearing any jewellery while treating the wound.
- Utmost care is mandatory while being bitten by a rodent, in order to avoid further complications.
Signs that you're having an infection
Rat bites can sometimes lead to infections if not treated properly. These infections can be indicated by the following possible signs/symptoms:
- Redness or swelling near the rat bite
- Irritation / Itchiness on the rash
- Pus
Illness caused by a Rat Bite
One of the most common and major infections caused by a rat bite or scratch is Rat-Bite Fever. There is a high possibility of getting this disease if you handle a rat with the disease or eat food contaminated by rat faeces.
Two types of bacteria can cause rat bite fever. They are :
1. Streptobacillus moniliformis
This type of bacteria can cause a serious set of symptoms that can usually occur after three days and can last up to three weeks. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Prolonged Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting / Nausea
- Pain in the backbone and joints
- Rashes and swelling are found in the hands/legs
2. Spirillum minus
Symptoms of Spirillum can usually be spotted between one and three weeks after being exposed to the bite. These may include:
- The fever is most probably to be on and off at regular intervals.
- Irritation on the infected part
- Swelling of the wound
- Swollen lymph nodes
Haverhill fever - The symptoms of Haverhill may include severe vomiting and sore throat.
What if a Rat Bite is left untreated?
Rat bites can cause serious health issues if left untreated. These ailments may include inflammation of the heart muscle or valves or arteries, veins leading to necrosis, myocarditis, endocarditis, pneumonia, systemic vasculitis, pericarditis, polyarteritis nodosa, hepatitis, nephritis, meningitis, focal abscesses and amnionitis.
However, if left untreated, the mortality rate is only 10%.
Facts about Rat Fever
- Rat bite treatment includes using penicillin or doxycycline.
- Rat fever symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, etc.
- A rat bite is dangerous as it transmits diseases such as rat-bite fever and hantavirus.
- Rat bite marks might appear as a single puncture wound or many small cuts and scratches.
- Rat bite causes many health issues, like rat-bite fever, tetanus, and rat mite bites.
- Rat bite symptoms include fever, rash, muscle pain, headache, joint pain, etc.
- If you find a rat scratch bite, you must wash the wound using clean water and antibacterial soap, and then cover it with a bandage and ointment.
- Rat scratch treatments include applying a skincare ointment like Neosporin or Aquaphor and covering it with a bandage.
- Rat scratch symptoms include fever, vomiting, headache, muscle, back, and joint pain.
Conclusion
You can see rats as lovable pets, but at the same time, you should also be cautious of their own risks. When bitten by one, you must make sure to consult with a doctor and get the right treatment immediately.
The symptoms will eventually go away, and the cure may happen gradually after a week of antibiotics. However, you must consider completely finishing the course of the prescribed antibiotics.
FAQs
1) Does a rat bite cause rabies?
It's unlikely that a rat bite will cause rabies.
2) Is rat scratching dangerous?
Rat-bite fever (RBF) commonly spreads through the bite of infected rats. RBF could become a serious and even deadly infection.
