How Do Rats Affect Humans?
WouterSymptoms of rat infection vary from person to person. Some people might develop diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal cramps while others may develop a fever. Some may also develop a rash. However, most people will recover without medical treatment. The disease can also cause neurological damage. Salmonellosis is caused by rat feces or saliva, and can be spread to humans by contaminated food and water.
Humans can get salmonella through direct skin contact with a rat or by eating contaminated food. Symptoms of salmonella include fever, chills, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. People can also get rat bite fever from rats biting them. It’s rare to develop this disease in humans, but people who handle rats often have a higher risk of contracting it.
The main diseases caused by rats are leptospirosis and salmonellosis. While these two diseases are not serious, the presence of rats in our homes poses a threat to our health. In addition to spreading diseases, rats carry many parasites that can cause illness and discomfort. Fleas, for example, can be carried on the fur of a rat and hop onto people or pets.
Rats also carry a bacterial disease called leptospirosis. It is spread through contact with rat urine, feces, and dust produced by cleaning up rat feces. Leptospirosis may cause flu-like symptoms, abdominal pain, and respiratory distress. It can also be fatal.
