Are you worried about the diseases that rodents can carry? If so, then this post is for you! As Virginia Beach residents, we are all familiar with our area’s wild animal population. Rodents are among one the creatures that inhabit our area, and if left untreated, their presence can have negative consequences on your family’s health.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what diseases mice and rats typically carry, as well as any associated symptoms to look out for. We hope by providing you with this information helps to arm you against potential rodent-related health problems. Read through the full article below to learn more about common diseases carried by rodents in Virginia Beach and how best to protect yourself and your loved ones!
9 Common Diseases That Rodents Carry and Symptoms:
Rodents are a common presence in Virginia Beach and while they may seem harmless, they can carry a variety of diseases that could be harmful to both us and our pets. Now, we’ll explore nine of the most common diseases that rodents carry, as well as any associated symptoms to look out for.
Disease # 1. Hantavirus:
Hantavirus is a virus that can be spread to humans through contact with mouse or rat droppings, saliva, or urine. Symptoms of hantavirus include fever and chills, body aches and fatigue, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. The hantavirus can lead to respiratory failure and even death in severe cases.
Symptoms of Hantavirus:
The following symptoms are associated with Hantavirus:
- Fever and chills
- Body aches and fatigue
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Respiratory failure (in severe cases)
Disease #2: Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans through contact with mouse or rat feces. Symptoms of salmonellosis include nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever. In rare cases, salmonellosis can cause more serious complications such as sepsis, meningitis, and even death.
Symptoms of Salmonellosis:
The following symptoms are associated with Salmonellosis:
- Nausea and abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Sepsis (in rare cases)
- Meningitis (in rare cases)
Disease #3: Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCMV)
Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCMV) is a virus that can be spread to humans through contact with mouse or rat saliva, urine, fecal matter, and even nesting materials. Symptoms of LCMV include fever, headaches, muscle aches and stiffness, nausea, fatigue, and vomiting. In rare cases, LCMV can cause more serious complications such as meningitis and encephalitis, which can lead to seizures and coma.
Symptoms of Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis:
The following symptoms are associated with Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis:
- Fever
- Headaches
- Muscle aches and stiffness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Meningitis (in rare cases)
- Encephalitis (in rare cases)
Disease #4: Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans through contact with mouse or rat urine. Symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, chills, headaches, muscle pain, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, leptospirosis can cause organ failure, leading to coma or even death.
Symptoms of Leptospirosis:
The following symptoms are associated with Leptospirosis:
- Fever and chills
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Abdominal pain
- Organ failure (in severe cases)
Disease #5: Rat-Bite Fever (RBF)
Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans through contact with mouse or rat saliva. Symptoms of RBF include fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, and skin rash. In rare cases, RBF can cause more serious complications such as meningitis and septicemia which can lead to death.
Symptoms of Rat-Bite Fever:
The following symptoms are associated with Rat-Bite Fever:
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle aches
- Skin rash
- Meningitis (in rare cases)
- Septicemia (in rare cases)
Disease #6: Tularemia
Tularemia is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans through contact with mouse or rat urine. Symptoms of tularemia include fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue. In severe cases, tularemia can cause pneumonia which can lead to death.
Symptoms of Tularemia:
The following symptoms are associated with Tularemia:
- Fever and chills
- Headaches
- Muscle aches and fatigue
- Pneumonia (in severe cases)
Disease #7: Rat Lungworm Disease
Rat lungworm disease is a parasitic infection that can be spread to humans through contact with mouse or rat feces. Symptoms of rat lungworm disease include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and stiffness of the neck. In rare cases, rat lungworm disease can cause more serious complications such as meningitis which can lead to death.
Symptoms of Rat Lungworm Disease:
The following symptoms are associated with Rat Lungworm Disease:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stiffness of the neck
- Meningitis (in rare cases)
Disease #8: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a virus that is spread to humans through contact with mouse or rat feces. Symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, and headaches. In severe cases, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can cause difficulty breathing, leading to death.
Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome:
The following symptoms are associated with Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome:
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle aches and headaches
- Difficulty breathing (in severe cases)
Disease #9: Eosinophilic Meningitis
Eosinophilic meningitis is a parasitic infection that can be spread to humans through contact with mouse or rat feces. Symptoms of eosinophilic meningitis include fever, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. In rare cases, eosinophilic meningitis can cause seizures, leading to coma or even death.
Symptoms of Eosinophilic Meningitis:
The following symptoms are associated with Eosinophilic Meningitis:
- Fever
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures (in rare cases)
In conclusion, mouse and rat contact can lead to a variety of illnesses in humans. These include leptospirosis, rat-bite fever (RBF), tularemia, rat lungworm disease, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, and eosinophilic meningitis. Each one has its list of symptoms that range from mild to severe depending on the type of illness contracted. Everyone needs to be aware of these potential risks so they can take steps towards preventing them through proper hygiene practices and avoiding contact with rodents whenever possible. You can contact a professional company for pest control in Virginia beach.