Do Rats Give You Rabies?
WouterIf you’re wondering: do rats give you rabies? The answer might surprise you. There’s no evidence to suggest that rat bites are the only cause of rabies. Rats have been linked to an outbreak of paralytic rabies in Suriname. But you shouldn’t take the risk of contracting the disease if you see a rat. Luckily, there are some things you can do to prevent rabies.
In most cases, rat bite fever can be treated with antibiotics. The symptoms usually develop between three and ten days after the exposure. However, in rare cases, it can take up to three weeks. Symptoms include a fever and a rash on the hands and feet. The infection may also cause joint involvement and can result in septic arthritis.
While the bites from rats are rarely fatal, it’s important to wash your hands well after touching one. This will prevent the bacteria that cause rat-bite fever from infecting your skin. In addition to washing your hands, you can also consult your doctor if you’ve recently been exposed to a rat.
Although the symptoms of rabies are usually non-specific, you can often detect a sick rat by looking for signs of illness. It may be slightly slower than usual or appear underweight. Muscle aches, fever, and joint pain are other early signs of the disease. The most important thing to do is avoid any physical contact with a rat.
