Can Rats Give You Rabies?

Unlike bats, rats do not carry rabies, but they may give you symptoms that are similar to the disease. This is called rat-bite fever. The infection occurs 3-10 days after the animal bites you. It may also appear up to three weeks later. It usually causes a fever and rash. If you are exposed to a rat, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. You may need to take antibiotics to prevent infection.

Although rats may seem cute and adorable, they can be a serious health threat. They can carry a wide range of diseases and can even cause death. Rabies is especially dangerous because an infected animal can spread it to humans and other animals. People should avoid letting rats into their homes and gardens because of the dangers they pose.

While rat bites do not cause rabies, they can cause a bacterial infection called rat-bite fever. Luckily, there are antibiotics for rat-bite fever, but prevention is always best. If you do get bitten by a rat, you should wash your hands immediately after touching it.

Rats carry rabies, but they are not likely to pass it on to you. The infection is transmitted through contact with the saliva of an infected animal. Infected rats are too small to spread the virus to humans, but they can still be carriers of other diseases.