Can You Get Rat Bite Fever from Mice?

Mice spread diseases via their feces, urine, and saliva. They are also hosts to parasites like fleas and mites that can transmit diseases to you. Fortunately, mice are not as aggressive as other animals.

A mouse will only bite you when it is cornered and feels threatened. When you’ve not threatened a mouse, you’ll be less likely to get a bite unless your hands or any part of your body smells food. Mice have small teeth, so their bites aren’t serious.

When a mouse has bitten you, see your doctor as soon as possible because you never know what the mouse carries. It is the infection from mouse bites that makes the bites serious. Mice have viruses and bacteria that can be very lethal. That’s why you need to call professionals to inspect your home and exterminate them.

What Does a Mouse Bite Look Like?

A mouse has powerful front teeth that easily break the skin when it bites. You’ll just feel a short sharp, pinching pain or sensation, and some blood may come out. Usually, a mouse bite will cause one punctured wound.

Rat Bite Fever (RBF)

Mice bites are dangerous because of the infections they can transmit. Mice bites can also make you have allergic reasons. Some mice also carry rabies. Mice bites can cause infections like hantavirus and rat-bite fever (RBF). Rat-bite fever is caused by bacteria found on some mice and other rodents. RBF can get transmitted by consuming water/food contaminated with bacteria from mice or getting bitten by a mouse.

You can also get RBF if you are scratched by a mouse that carries the bacteria. The bacteria can also enter your body via mucous membranes (mouth, nose, eyes), open skin, or open wounds.

The symptoms of RBF start to appear around three weeks after infection. These symptoms include rash, joint pain and swelling, muscle pain, headache, vomiting, and fever.

There’s no need for waiting for the symptoms after a mouse bites you. See your doctor immediately. RBF can be fatal if not treated immediately.

As you can see, it is hazardous to have mice moving around your house or home. Apart from causing RBF, they can also cause other viral and bacterial diseases. Mice are also very destructive. To eliminate mice from your home, contact Mice Mob Exterminators. We’ll send our professionals to your home as soon as possible.