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Is Infection Possible After Coming In Contact With Mice Or Their Droppings?

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Posted on Wed, 24 Feb 2016
Question: Hi! I am currently over 4 months pregnant, and live in a NYC apartment building. We just got a cold spell, and during that time saw 1 mouse in the house, set out traps, and caught 2 (!) We did not see any 'evidence' of mice (eaten food, mouse droppings) but because I am pregnant, I am concerned about the possibility of having contact with the mouse, and being exposed to Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV.) Can you please tell me if this is a valid concern given my description above?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (52 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Chances of infection are less than 2%.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
The possibility of coming in contact with the mouse or its droppings cannot be ruled out. But the chances of mouse being infected is almost 5% and chances of passing the infection to you is less than 2%.
This is a very small risk to worry so much. Now the best way is to wait and watch yourself for any symptoms like fever, malaise, neurological symptoms, arthritis or neck stiffness.
Right now there is no way to know that you are infected or not. Just wait for 2 weeks and get the blood test done again to rule out the possibility.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal

OBGYN

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 14041 Questions

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Is Infection Possible After Coming In Contact With Mice Or Their Droppings?

Brief Answer: Chances of infection are less than 2%. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for trusting us with your health concern. The possibility of coming in contact with the mouse or its droppings cannot be ruled out. But the chances of mouse being infected is almost 5% and chances of passing the infection to you is less than 2%. This is a very small risk to worry so much. Now the best way is to wait and watch yourself for any symptoms like fever, malaise, neurological symptoms, arthritis or neck stiffness. Right now there is no way to know that you are infected or not. Just wait for 2 weeks and get the blood test done again to rule out the possibility. Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Rakhi Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal