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What To Know About Rat Bite Fever
Rats are common pests in all parts of the world. They can cause property damage by chewing and burrowing. They also carry dangerous diseases that affect humans. One such sickness is rat bite fever.
Rat bite fever is caused by bacteria that live inside rats' mouths. The bacteria can transfer to people through a bite or a scratch. In some cases, contact with rodent droppings can pass the bacteria along. The disease can be cured with antibiotics. It can lead to severe complications or death without treatment.
Learn more about rat bite fever and if you are at risk for it.
Two types. Rat bite fever is the term used for infections by two different bacteria that rats carry. The first is streptobacillus moniliformis, which leads to streptobacillary rat bite fever. The second is called spirillum minus, which causes spirillary rat bite fever. This is also sometimes known as sodoku.
Only streptobacillary rat bite fever has been reported in the United States. Spirillary rat bite fever is found in Asia.
Bacteria, not rats. The name rat bite fever is a bit misleading. Rats are only carriers of the bacteria that cause it. Other rodents such as mice, squirrels, guinea pigs, and gerbils can carry them as well.
Animals like dogs or cats can also carry the bacteria if they have been in close contact with infected rodents or their droppings. Animals carry the bacteria as hosts. They typically don't show any symptoms.
Bites and scratches. People get rat bite fever if an infected rat or other rodent bites or scratches them. Rodents can also shed the bacteria in their feces. Their droppings can pass the illness to humans. It's also possible to get rat bite fever from eating food that has been contaminated with an infected animal's saliva, urine, or feces.
The most significant risk for rat bite fever is exposure to rats or other rodents. Rat bite fever does not pass from person to person. The only way for you to get it is from an infected animal.
People most likely to get rat bite fever include:
Young children who are around rodents are at higher risk for rat bite fever than adults. Their immune systems are still developing. They may be less able to fight off the illness.
If you have young children who have contact with rodents, you can reduce their risk by making sure they wash their hands after touching them. Quickly clean any bites or scratches.
Contact your doctor immediately if you have been around rodents and have any symptoms of rat bite fever. Rat bite fever can be life-threatening. Quick treatment is critical to recovering from the infection.
Streptobacillary rat bite fever. Symptoms of streptobacillary rat bite fever usually show up 3 to 10 days after you have been exposed to the bacteria. A bite or scratch will probably be healed by the time you feel any symptoms. Common symptoms include:
You may develop infections in internal organs such as your lungs, liver, or brain if streptobacillary rat bite fever isn't treated. These complications are very serious. They can result in death without immediate treatment.
Spirillary rat bite fever (sodoku). Symptoms of spirillary rat bite fever tend to appear 7 to 21 days after exposure to the bacteria. You may notice changes to the actual bite or scratch. Other symptoms include:
Early detection and swift treatment are critical for rat bite fever. It can lead to death if it is left untreated.
Antibiotics are very effective at curing the illness. Talking to your doctor soon after possible exposure will help you get prompt treatment if you need it.
Clean the wound well with soap and water if you are bitten or scratched by any rodent. Call your doctor and let them know a rodent scratched or bit you. Your doctor will know when to begin treatment for rat bite fever if you develop any symptoms.
Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your risk of rat bite fever.
Medicine: Why Rats Bite Babies
TIME
June 18, 1945 12:00 AM GMT-4
Rats bite men because they like human blood. Johns Hopkins' Curt P. Richter, Ph.D., in the Journal of the American Medical Association, says he can prove it.
Dr. Richter's interest was aroused when he noticed how many people came in to Johns Hopkins Hospital to be treated for rat bites. There were 87 in four years, most of them from the two-square-mile area surrounding the hospital, and Dr. Richter heard of 28 others who were bitten but did not come for treatment. Most of those bitten were babies under a year old. "One child was bitten on eleven different nights."
Rat bites are serious. All of the Johns Hopkins cases had infections or pieces of flesh eaten away. Seven developed rat-bite fever.*
Dr. Richter gave three rats each a dish containing 139 grams (about 4½ ounces) of operating-room blood and serum. In less than 24 hours "two of the rats had eaten all of the blood and one had eaten 47 grams. When one considers that the average normal food intake of full-grown wild rats does not usually exceed 35 to 40 grams, the large intake of 139 grams indicates that the rats had a real craving for this fresh human blood."
* In rat-bite fever, the original wound heals temporarily, later opens again, larger and more angry-looking, a rash develops, temperature rises to 103° or 104° F., falls to normal in a couple of days, then rises again in cycles which may recur for months. The patient may grow thin, have muscle pains, delirium, arthritis. Treatment is similar to that for syphilis and saves nearly every case.
Six Telltale Signs Your Garden Has Fallen Victim To A Rat Infestation – & How To Get Rid Quick By Removing A Common Item
WITH temperatures rising and the sun finally peaking through the clouds, many of us are spending more time in the garden.
But it's not just Brits soaking up the sunshine this spring - unfortunately, pesky rodents, too, like to make the most out of the glorious weather.
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Rodent droppings can spread diseases and viruses, including hantavirus, salmonellosis and rat-bite fever - scroll down to see the six signs you may have a rat infestationAlthough these creatures may seem harmless, rats can cause more than just a headache to those dealing with an infestation.
According to experts at Pest World, not only can rats and mice lead to a serious property damage but also cause a number of health-related issues.
The pros explained: ''The accumulation of feces from mice and rats can spread bacteria, contaminate food sources and trigger allergic reactions in humans.
''Once the faecal matter becomes dry, it can be hazardous to those who breathe it in.''
Moreover, rodent droppings can spread diseases and viruses, including hantavirus, salmonellosis and rat-bite fever.
In addition to serious health risks, the pet experts warned that rodents can also ruin gardens by feeding on crops including root vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes.
These animals are mostly nocturnal, so there is a high chance you may never even spot one.
Rats also tend to set up camp in dark places such as beneath decking, in sheds, greenhouses, and compost bins, making it even more challenging to deal with.
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Aldi fans rushing to buy new beauty dupes in middle aisle from just €3.49Luckily, there are six telltale signs that mean your garden may have fallen victim to a rat infestation.
The things to look out for, as featured on Gardeners' World, include:
Rats the size of CATS roam the streets in our hellhole city where mountains of festering rubbish pile up on every cornerHave spotted any of the above? Fear not, as there are some things you can do to get rid of the rodents quickly, including removing one common item from the garden.
These hungry rodents like to feed on grains, including the ones that have fallen from the bird feeders thousands have placed in their gardens.
If you suspect a rat infestation in your garden, then the best thing to do would be to remove the bird feeders.
The pesky animals need food, water, and shelter to survive, so the removal of one of those things will make them less likely to keep visiting your garden - or camping there full-time.
If you still want birds to come to your garden, keep bird food in secure containers.
Help! I have mice or rats in my garden...
WHETHER you can hear them they're scurrying around your house, or underneath your decking, there's one reason you have mice...
Fabulous' Associate Editor, Rebecca Miller, is a gardening enthusiast. She explains why it's not uncommon to have mice, but you should be concerned if you have rats.
"Our gardens are homes to various animals, from birds to hedgehogs to squirrels. But there's one animal no one wants to find - mice or rats.
"Mice can be destructive, and rats are just downright scary, and send everyone into a panic.
"But mice are common all across the UK - and one or two in the garden is not cause for alarm.
"Wood mice and field mice will easily get in your home since they are small enough to squeeze in almost anywhere. However, they are more likely to shelter in garages, sheds, and outhouses because they provide easier access to the outside world.
"You're also more likely to see mice inside during the autumn and winter months.
"As for rats, they are generally considered vermin and can spread potentially serious diseases. They tend to set up home beneath decking, in sheds or greenhouses, and compost heaps.
"Rats are mostly nocturnal so you may not see them when you're in your garden, but there are some signs to look out for: tunnels or 'runs', droppings, gnawed wood, or teeth marks in crops."
And the pesky critter also hate the stench of garlic, so another simple trick you can use is to plant garlic bulbs in your vegetable patch.
"Rodents hate the strong smell of garlic," Juanita Schulze, a gardening expert from David's Garden Seeds told The Sun last year.
"Garlic does not come from seeds, but get some garlic bulbs and plant those in your garden to keep rodents away."
Juanita added: "Another garlic tip is to chop garlic finely and boil in water.
"Then strain the garlic pieces out and put the garlic water in a spray bottle.
"Spray the bottoms of your plants to keep the rodents away. Spread chopped garlic around the outside of your garden."
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