How can you tell if your pet rat has rat bite fever?

Symptoms

• a fever that comes and goes for several weeks.
• a rash near a rat bite.
• joint and muscle pain, especially in the lower back.
• chills.
• nausea.
• vomiting.
• a sore throat.

How is rat bite fever diagnosed?

To confirm the diagnosis of spirillary rat-bite fever, doctors take a sample of blood or tissue around the bite or from an infected lymph node. Spirillary bacteria can be identified when a sample is examined under microscope. These bacteria cannot be cultured.

Can you get rat bite fever from a hamster?

All rodents, pet and wild, can carry bacteria and viruses that cause infections in people. Rodent infections that can transmit to humans include leptospirosis, hantavirus, rat bite fever and a type of meningitis caused by a virus called lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV).

Can you survive rat bite fever?

A person can also get infected through consumption of food or water contaminated with the urine and droppings of rodents carrying the bacteria. This is known as Haverhill fever. If not treated, RBF can be a serious or even fatal disease.

How long does rat bite fever last?

Symptoms usually begin 3 to 10 days after contact with the bacteria, but can be delayed as long as 3 weeks. By this time, any rodent bite or scratch wound that caused the infection has usually healed. Within 2 to 4 days after fever begins, a rash may appear on the hands and feet.

What body system does rat bite fever affect?

Many patients will develop a rash on their extremities (e.g., hands and feet), 2 to 4 days after the onset of fever. If not treated, severe disease involving the heart, brain, lungs, and entire body can occur and in rare cases can lead to death.

How serious is rat bite fever?

How Serious Is Rat Bite Fever? Without treatment, rat bite fever can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, meningitis, infection of the heart (myocarditis, endocarditis) and infection of the blood (sepsis), leading to death in 7-10% of cases. When treated promptly, the prognosis is very good.

How does rat bite fever spread?

How is Rat-Bite Fever Spread? There are several ways that people can get RBF: Through bites or scratches from rodents carrying the bacteria. The bacteria can enter the body directly through a bite wound, open skin, or mucous membranes such as in the eyes, nose, or mouth.

What to do if you get bitten by a rat?

If you have a rat bite, wash the area with warm water and soap as soon as possible. Dry the area with a clean towel and apply an antibiotic ointment. Cover with a clean bandage.

How can we prevent rat bite fever?

Wear proper protective laboratory gear, including gloves, and follow appropriate safety precautions. Avoid touching your mouth and face after handling rodents. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after handling rodents, their cages, bedding, urine, or droppings.

Can hamster bite make you sick?

Hamster Bites Infection is usually caused by commensal bacteria from the hamster’s mouth or the skin of the person bitten. While rare, rabies, Francisella tularensis, and potentially lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, can be transmitted by a bite from an infected hamster.

What kind of disease is rat bite fever?

Rat Bite Fever. Rat-bite fever (RBF) is an infectious disease caused by two different bacteria: People typically become infected with these bacteria after contact with rodents carrying the bacteria.

When to see a doctor for rat bite fever?

These symptoms usually occur 7-21 days after exposure to an animal carrying the bacteria. If you have any of the symptoms of RBF after contact with rats or other rodents, immediately see your health care provider. Make sure to tell your provider about your contact with rodents.

Can you get Haverhill fever from a rat bite?

Rat-bite Fever (RBF) People usually get the disease from infected rodents or consumption of contaminated food or water. When the latter occurs, the disease is often known as Haverhill fever. If not treated, RBF can be a serious or even fatal disease.

Can a person get sick from a rat bite?

People can get infected through bites or scratches by rats. Up to 10% of rat bites may result in rat bite fever. Other animals such as mice, gerbils, squirrels, cats and dogs can also get infected and may or may not get sick with rat bite fever, and can spread it.