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Do Rodents Carry Rabies?

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Posted on Mon, 3 Oct 2016
Question: Hi, yesterday night one Rat entered my house(was a bigger one and I suspect that it came from waste bin duct) and bite on my left foot finger. there was some bleeding and mild pain. I wiped the blood, cleaned with dettol and applied Betadine.

Now it's been around 7hrs and there is mild itching but no pain or heavy swelling or fever.

Kindly suggest if I need further test for any Rat bite infection or any treatment?

thanks XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Nagamani N.G (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
T bact ointment.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting a query to HCM,

Rats and mice are very rarely infected with rabies, and their bites are not known to transmit this disease to humans.

Disinfect the wound with hydrogen peroxide and povidine iodine then apply T BACT ointment 3 times daily till the wound heals completely.

The common symptoms of a rat bite are pain, redness, swelling around the bite and, if secondary infection occurs, a weeping, pus-filled wound.

If you face following symptoms then consult the doctor immediately.

Muscle ache, vomiting, joint pain, headache, fever, and rash are common symptoms of streptobacillary rat bite fever. Symptoms usually occur 3-10 days after an infected rat bites a person.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Nagamani N.G

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1116 Questions

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Do Rodents Carry Rabies?

Brief Answer: T bact ointment. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX Thanks for posting a query to HCM, Rats and mice are very rarely infected with rabies, and their bites are not known to transmit this disease to humans. Disinfect the wound with hydrogen peroxide and povidine iodine then apply T BACT ointment 3 times daily till the wound heals completely. The common symptoms of a rat bite are pain, redness, swelling around the bite and, if secondary infection occurs, a weeping, pus-filled wound. If you face following symptoms then consult the doctor immediately. Muscle ache, vomiting, joint pain, headache, fever, and rash are common symptoms of streptobacillary rat bite fever. Symptoms usually occur 3-10 days after an infected rat bites a person. Take care.