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Overview
Rat bites can cause fever and rash.
Hantavirus spreads from dried droppings.
When to get medical care
Call 911Trouble breathing after cleaning droppings.
Get care todayRodent bite or fever after exposure.
See a doctor soonExposure concerns.
Causes
Causes include rat-bite fever and hantavirus.
OwieClear has pages on 2 conditions that can cause rat or mouse bite, or cleaning up droppings. Each shows how soon to get care.
Common causes
- Rodent exposure (bites or droppings)See a doctor if it doesn't get better
Rat and mouse bites can cause infection or rat-bite fever.
- HantavirusMay need emergency care
A rare, serious infection from breathing dust contaminated by rodent droppings or urine.
What you can do at home
- Wash bites.
- Wet droppings with bleach before cleaning.
Medicines
Antibiotics for rat-bite fever.
At the doctor
Diagnosed by history.
Questions you may be asked
- Exposure
The exam
A physical exam.
Tests
- Blood tests
Prevention
Prevent exposure.
- Seal homes
Check your symptoms
Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-13.