Rodent exposure (bites or droppings)

Overview

Rat-bite fever causes fever, rash, and joint pain days after a bite or scratch.

Hantavirus is spread by breathing dust from droppings and can cause severe lung illness.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Rodent bite or exposure
• Rat or mouse bite, or cleaning up droppings

Less common

• Fever
• Muscle aches

Look up a symptom: Fever

When to get medical care

Causes

Rodents.

Who is more likely to get it

• People cleaning sheds or cabins: Highest risk

Possible complications

• Hantavirus: From breathing in dust from droppings

Diagnosis

Exam.

Treatment

Clean safely.

Self-care

• Don't sweep dry droppings
• Wear gloves
• Air out closed spaces before cleaning
• Seal holes where rodents enter

Prevention

To lower your risk or prevent problems:

• Seal holes in your home
• Wet down droppings before cleaning

Which doctor treats this

• Urgent care or the ER can treat it first. For minor problems, your primary care provider can help.
• They may send you to an infectious disease specialist, for hard-to-treat infections.

Back to school, work, or sports

• Stay home until 2 days after vomiting and diarrhea stop, especially if you work with food, children, or patients.
• Wash hands well after using the toilet.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Children: Bites are more common.

Outlook

Preventable.

Most bites heal well.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• Do I need antibiotics after a bite?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Rodent exposure (bites or droppings)