Rat bite fever is a serious disease caused by bacteria in the mouth and throat of rats. This fever is transmitted to humans when the animal bites or inges an open wound on the skin, which is also true for pet rats.
In addition to being transmitted by rat bite, mouse bite fever can be transmitted through consumption of contaminated food or through contact with rodent urine and faeces.
People infected with mouse bite fever have the following main symptoms:
Usually, the initial wound caused by the bite heals quickly and the symptoms that characterize the disease appear in less than 10 days, on a regular and intense basis.
Diagnosis of mouse bite fever is made by a blood test or biopsy of the affected tissues, which detect the presence of bacteria in the individual.
Treatment for mouse bite fever is with penicillin, orally or intravenously. If the individual has a drug allergy, he or she is initiated with tetracycline. The disease can cause complications, such as heart problems and brain tumors, and can be fatal.