They can be cute and cuddly pets
or dirty and dangerous pests. Either way, rats are often blamed for
spreading diseases from animals to humans. Some are serious and require
immediate treatment, while others simply cause discomfort for a few
days.
Wild Rats vs. Domestic Rats
Although
they both can carry many types of diseases that are transmitted to
humans, wild rats present a greater danger since their environment is
not controlled. Domestic rats purchased from a responsible source, who
monitors their rats closely and tests for diseases, pose less of a
threat than those from an unknown source or in the wild. Either way,
it's important to be aware of the potential risk of diseases carried by
rats, since the the Humane Society of the United States notes that,
aside from mosquitoes, rats carry more diseases that can be transmitted
to humans than almost any other living thing.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis,
also called Weil's disease, is a bacteria that many rats carry without
showing symptoms of infection. Humans become infected when contaminated
rat urine or feces comes in contact with mucous membranes. Symptoms in
people include headache, fever, vomiting, rash and muscle aches. Some
people can become infected and show very few symptoms, while
leptospirosis can be fatal in others.
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis,
or salmonella, is another bacterial illness that both domestic and wild
rats carry. Like leptospirosis, it is spread to humans through contact
with urine and feces. In humans, salmonellosis causes gastrointestinal
problems such as diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever. Most healthy adults
will recover without any serious long-term problems, but in severe
cases the infection enters the bloodstream and spreads through the
entire body.
Rat-Bite Fever
As
the name implies, rat-bite fever is typically spread when a rat bites a
person. Scratches and contact with rat urine and feces can also expose
you to rat-bite fever. There are two types of this ailment, including
streptobacillary and spirillary. Symptoms of a streptobacillary
infection include vomiting, joint and muscle pain, rash, vomiting and
fever. A spirillary infection can cause a recurring fever, swollen lymph
nodes and a rash.
Plague
Rats
are often blamed for spreading the plague. While they can carry and
spread the disease, fleas on the rat are more often to blame. Fleas
spread plague between animals and from animals to humans. Rats will die
if they become infected with plague. Humans can also die without
treatment, but antibiotics can are usually effective. Symptoms include
fever, chills, weakness and swollen lymph nodes.
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