Can You Get Sick From Rats?
WouterRats are a common household pest, but they can also be a health risk for humans. They carry a number of diseases through their bites and scratches. The feces and urine they shed around your home can also transmit these diseases. Humans can also become infected if they eat contaminated food.
Rats carry Salmonella bacteria in their digestive tracts, which can infect humans. Salmonella infections cause fever, chills, and abdominal cramps. They can also cause diarrhea. Rats can also carry Rat Bite Fever, which causes skin rashes and headaches. Luckily, human infections by rodents are rare.
Rats have many different types of respiratory infections. Infections caused by Staphylococcus bacteria are common in most animals. If the skin is damaged, the bacteria can enter the body, resulting in abscesses. These can grow and spread around the head and face, causing the rat to lose weight and become ill. A veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics to help fight this infection.
Another type of infection caused by rats is leptospirosis. This infection is transmitted through urine. Although leptospirosis is usually found in mice and wild rats, it is possible for humans to get infected if they come into contact with contaminated water or soil. A diagnosis can be made by testing blood and urine samples. Treatment is not usually recommended due to the risk of transmission to humans. Certain roundworms can also infect rats. If they are detected early, they can be treated similarly to intestinal pinworms.
