How Can Rats Harm You?
WouterDespite their domestication, rats can still bite and scratch people. Not only can rat bites cause serious injury, but their saliva also contains bacteria that can spread dangerous diseases. One such disease is hantavirus, which can be transmitted by inhaling rat feces or touching infected rats.
Rats often burrow through structural wood framing in a house, causing structural damage. They can also chew through electrical wiring. When a support beam is compromised, the house could collapse, putting you and your family at risk. Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of rats in a home.
A rat’s saliva and urine can carry deadly bacteria, including the salmonella bacteria. In case of a rat bite, the infection may cause stomach cramps, fever, and abdominal pain. The disease is also spread through contaminated water. Fortunately, it is very rare to contract salmonella from a rat, but the risks are very real. Leptospirosis is another infection transmitted by a rat’s bite. This disease can cause liver failure and kidney damage.
If you have been bitten by a rat, it’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible. A quick treatment will help prevent an infection and rat-bite fever. Antibiotics are available to treat the infection. Symptoms may last for several days, but will generally disappear if the wound is healed.
