Mice and rats carry mites, fleas, and other parasites that may cause the transmission of diseases to humans. These diseases may be transmitted through rat feces, urine, or saliva. Below, we will learn about the most important mouse bite problems and their treatment.

Why does the mouse bite?

Fortunately, rats are non-violent, and they usually bite or scratch a person when they feel danger, and the sources indicate that a rat bite must be taken into account and taken seriously, as many pests such as bacteria and viruses may be transmitted, causing many diseases that may cause serious complications.

How do you feel after a mouse bite?

Mice have strong teeth, and they may affect the skin if they are bitten, and the bite can cause a sharp stinging sensation and blood drawing, and the sources indicate that the shape of the mouse bite is a puncture wound.

Possible mouse bite damage

Most of the potential risks from rat bites are the possibility of bacterial or viral infection, so some may consider them toxic, or allergic reactions in some people. According to the sources, small rodents, including rats or mice, do not cause rabies. Below are the most important risks and symptoms of a mouse bite. Potential:

Allergic reactions

One source cites a 2014 case study in which a person developed an allergic reaction after being bitten on the middle finger by a lab rat, within 10 minutes his whole body itched, a rash appeared on his arm, and after another five minutes he noticed swelling His lips were swollen, and he became dizzy, and these symptoms improved about eight hours after he was admitted to the hospital.

Rat-bite fever

Mouse bite fever is a type of infection transmitted by bacteria that live in some rodents, and it may be transmitted through the bite or by eating food and drink contaminated with mouse urine or feces, and symptoms usually begin to appear within about three to ten days, but it may Up to 21 days in a number of cases, including the following:

• fever.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Headache, muscle pain.
• Joint swelling and pain.
• Skin rash.

Hantavirus

It is a type of virus that is transmitted by some types of rodents, and causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a syndrome that may be dangerous as the death rate reaches 38%, according to sources, and its symptoms include the following:

• Fever, feeling tired.
• muscle pain
• Vertigo, tremor.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• diarrhea.
• Tummy ache.

Some infected people may experience other symptoms within 4 to 10 days of infection, such as:

• hard breathing.
• Cough.
• Fluid buildup in the lungs.

The virus is transmitted through saliva or rat droppings, and it may also be transmitted through stinging, but it is rare, and people usually contract this disease through the spread of the virus in the atmosphere.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis

It is a viral infection transmitted by rodents, and it is transmitted to humans through saliva, blood, and rat droppings. Symptoms usually appear within 8 to 13 days, and include:

• fever.
• General feeling of tiredness.
• Headache.
• Anorexia.
• vomiting.

People most likely to be infected by a mouse bite

Anyone who handles rats may be at risk of being bitten and contracting any possible disease, including:

• People who adopt mice and other rodents into the home.
• People who live in rodent-infested areas.
• People who have direct contact with mice or other rodents, such as lab rats.

So if you are a fan of raising pet mice at home, make sure that the mice are in their cages, not released around the house, make sure they feel safe, leave them alone and do not carry them, and it is advised to seek medical advice if they are suddenly bitten.

But if you live in an area where rats breed, you should take precaution and put wire safety barriers on the doors and windows to protect your home from entering the rats.

First aid and treatment for a mouse bite

Mouse bite first aid includes some important instructions immediately after exposure, as follows:

• Control bleeding, and clean the wound with soap and water well.
• Any jewelry, such as a ring, should be removed if the injury is on one of the fingers, as the finger may be swollen.
• Cover the wound with a sterile, dry dressing, and an antibiotic cream or ointment can be used.

It is advised to go to the doctor to take the necessary measures, and the doctor may prescribe some antibiotics as a preventive treatment, and prescribe other treatments according to the type of disease, and you may be given a tetanus shot vaccination, especially if five years have passed since obtaining the last vaccine, but in severe infections, the patient gets On intravenous antibiotics.

to rememberYou should get the full course of antibiotics even if you feel better.

In conclusion, the best preventive measure against the dangers of rat bites is to stay away from them as much as possible, and to expel intrusive rats if they enter the house, and if they are bitten, it is best to consult a doctor to avoid infection.