Rat Bite Fever Causes Symptoms and Treatment

Rat bite fever is a serious disease that oddly enough does not always come from being bitten by a rat. Individuals are most commonly affected by rat bite fever due to contaminated water or food that has been infected by a rat in the home. If not treated, an individual can become very ill and even die. Learn how the fever is contracted as well as symptoms and treatment options if infected. 

Transmission of Rat Bite Fever
Rat bite fever is transmitted in a few ways. First, individuals can be affected by being scratched or bitten by a rat, mouse or gerbil. Anyone who handles a rodent that has the disease can become infected even without being scratched or bitten. Food or drink that has been contaminated with rat bite fever can lead to infection. Once you have rat bite fever, you cannot transmit the disease to another individual. 

Symptoms of Rat Bite Fever
There are two types of rat bite fever. The first is known as streptobacillary RBF and has symptoms such as fever, vomiting, headache, pain the muscles, joint pain or rash. These symptoms will begin around 3 to 10 days after being exposed to an infected rodent. After two to four days after a fever begins, a rash will occur on hands and feet. 

The second type of rat bite fever is known as spirillary RBF. Symptoms of this type include fever, an ulcer on the bite wound, swelling near the wound, swollen lymph nodes and rash. Symptoms take longer to develop with this type, from 7 to 21 days after being exposed. 

Treatment
If you believe you are suffering from rat bite fever, contact your health care provider immediately. You want to let your physician know that you have been exposed to rats and that you need treatment. Your doctor should prescribe you antibiotics that will help to cure the disease with penicillin the most commonly used medication for treatment. 

Without treatment, you can suffer from major health concerns such as infections in the heart, brain and lungs. Abscesses in internal organs can also take place. Death is rare with infection of rat bite fever but can happen if the issue is not treated by a professional. 

Avoid Exposure
The best way to avoid rat bite fever is to avoid exposure with rodents. If you have rodents in the home, have a professional remove them. Getting rid of rodents is a tough job and most homeowners are not equipped to handle removal. By contacting a professional removal company, you will be able to have the experts handle the rodent removal with ease. 

Once you have contacted a rodent removal company, an inspection of your property will take place. The threat level will be assessed and a plan put in place to remove the rodents as well as cleaning and treating the area. The pests are removed and the wildlife technician will recommend cleaning techniques as well as what to do to ensure that such creatures are not gaining access to your home again. 

For all your rodent removal needs, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. You will be working with expert rodent removal services to ensure you home is free from the unwanted pests.