Yes, people can get sick from feces laying around. People who are in a place with rodent presence, in this case, rat presence can get sick from either airborne diseases, or direct, or indirect contact with the feces, urine, or saliva. As such, caution is always needed when required to handle rat feces. People can also get sick from contaminated food sources because of the rat’s saliva.
If you have a rat infestation, do not hesitate to contact the licensed and insured exterminators from Rat Control Hamilton.
Rats are known to spread a lot of diseases as many as 35 diseases and more so rat presence should not be just seen as a nuisance but as an actual danger to your health. If you notice an increase in rat droppings, this might be very well due to an actual infestation. Professional rat control specialists from Rat Control can help.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, also commonly called Hantavirus or HPS for short, is a rare disease carried by rodents. Not all rodents carry HPS, but because there is no way of knowing which ones do and which ones do not, it is best to avoid handling rats, their nests, or areas they soil with their droppings and urine.
If you are infected with Hantavirus, you will usually experience symptoms within one to five weeks. The first symptoms include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches. As time goes by, people often report additional symptoms, including:
- Headaches,
- Difficulty breathing,
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting chills
Unfortunately, many of the symptoms associated with Hantavirus mimic flu symptoms. If you know that you have a rat infestation in your home, you will want to visit your doctor as soon as you experience symptoms. A doctor can confirm if Hantavirus is the cause of your illness.
Currently, there is no specific vaccine to protect against Hantavirus. Also, there is no specialized treatment. Instead, affected individuals should visit the doctor as soon as possible. Many people often find themselves hospitalized during the respiratory distress phase. You will likely remain on oxygen until you heal and your symptoms pass.
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is yet another disease that can affect humans that come into contact with rat feces. People contract the disease via fecal to oral transmission. In other words, rat feces can contaminate food and drinks within your home. If you eat or drink contaminated items, it can lead to salmonellosis. Common symptoms include:
• Anorexia
• Lethargy
• Hunched over posture
• Diarrhea
• Spleen enlargement
• Lesions on the small intestine
• Enlarged lymph nodes
Although anyone is at risk of contracting the disease, children and adults with a compromised immune system face a greater risk of disease severity. Make sure you visit your doctor or your local emergency room as soon as symptoms arise. If you notice or have a feeling that you have rat presence, contact the professionals from Rat Control. Let licensed and insured professionals handle your case.
