RAT BITE FEVER is a deadly disease which occurs following a bite by a rat which has been infected by Streptobaccilus moniliformis or Spirillum minus.
Other animals that can transmit these infectious organisms are dogs, cats and pigs. However, Streptobaccilus moniliformis can also be transmitted by consumption of unpastuerised milk.
SIGN AND SYMPTOMS
Streptobacillary fever (Haverhill fever): Following the bite of a rat, the fever starts with associated nausea, vomiting, headache and body pain. The fever abates after a few day only to return with higher body temperature. Within five days of illness, rash- maculopapular develop. The rash usually involves the sole of the foot and palm. There is arthritis as well.
In Spillary fever (Sodoku), the fever is recurrent and accompanied by nausea, vomiting and headache. A roseolar-urticarial rash may occur but arthritis is rare. There is swelling or formation of ulcer at the site of bite and swollen lymph node.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is confirmed after blood or joint fluid culture is positive of either of the organisms.
Clinically, the diagnosis requires high level of suspicion by your doctor because the site of bite is often healed before the fever starts.
TREATMENT
See your doctor immediately if you have any of the above symptoms after bite or contact with rats or domestic animals. If appropriate treatment is not started on time, rat bite fever can cause severe disease and death.
Drugs of choice include: Penicillin G, Ampicillin, Tetracycline, Streptomycin or Chloramphenicol
PREVENTION
- AVOID touching your mouth and face after handling rodent.
- WASH your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after handling rodents, their cage, bedding, urine or droppings.
FURTHER READING
- A compendium of clinical Medicine by A.O. Falase and O.O. Akinkugbe.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
IMAGE CREDIT: google images
Dr. Adeyemo Olusola is a medical graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria along with certificate in advanced diploma in Principles of Nutrition, Management and Leadership, Dublin and Certificate in Global Health from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In addition to his numerous certifications, he is a certified Telemedicine Physician from Harvard Medical School, USA. He is an avid reader of books from different oases of life, expert in data analysis. “So many a time, I have seen people die avoidable death because of lack of knowledge or information, falling victim of fate. There is then a necessity laid on us to help arm our society to the teeth, as a healthy society cannot be detached from an informed one. Hence, there is need for healthgist.net. We hope you will have a wonderful stay on our website.”
