BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuRat-bite feverStreptobacillary fever; Streptobacillosis; Haverhill fever; Epidemic arthritic erythema; Spirillary fever; SodokuRat-bite fever is a rare bacterial disease spread by the bite of an infected rodent. Causes Rat-bite fever can be caused by either of two different bacteria, Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus. Both of these are found in the mouths of rodents.The disease is most often seen in:Asia Europe North AmericaMost people get rat-bite fever through contact with urine or fluids from the mouth, eye, or nose of an infected animal. This most commonly occurs through a bite or scratch. Some cases may occur simply through contact with these fluids.A rat is usually the source of the infection. Other animals that may cause this infection include:Gerbils Squirrels Weasels Symptoms Symptoms depend on the bacteria that caused the infection.Symptoms due to Streptobacillus moniliformis may include:Chills Fever Joint pain, redness, or swelling Rash Symptoms due to Spirillum minus may include:Chills Fever Open sore at the site of the bite Rash with red or purple patches and bumps RashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Swollen lymph nodes near the bite Symptoms from either organism usually resolve within 2 weeks. Untreated, the symptoms, such as fever or joint pain, can keep returning for many weeks or longer. Exams and Tests The health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask about your symptoms. If the provider suspects rat bite fever, tests will be done to detect the bacteria in:Skin Blood Joint fluid Lymph nodes Blood antibody tests and other techniques may also be used.Blood antibody testsAntibody titer is a laboratory test that measures the level of antibodies in a blood sample.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Rat-bite fever is treated with antibiotics (typically oral) for 7 to 14 days. Outlook (Prognosis) The outlook is excellent with early treatment. If it is not treated, the death rate can be as high as 25%. Possible Complications Rat-bite fever may cause these complications: Abscesses of the brain or soft tissue AbscessesAn abscess is a collection of pus in any part of the body. In most cases, the area around an abscess is swollen and inflamed.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Infection of the heart valves Inflammation of the parotid (salivary) glands Inflammation of the tendons Inflammation of the heart lining When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if:You or your child has had recent contact with a rat or other rodent The person who was bitten has symptoms of rat-bite fever Prevention Avoiding contact with rats or rat-contaminated dwellings may help prevent rat-bite fever. Taking antibiotics by mouth promptly after a rat bite may also help prevent this illness.Open ReferencesReferencesMekala V, Washburn RG. Rat-bite fever: Streptobacillus moniliformis and Spirillum minus. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 231.Shandro JR, Jauregui JM. Wilderness-acquired zoonoses. In: Auerbach PS, Cushing TA, Harris NS, eds. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 34.Vyas JM. Rat-bite fever. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel D, Heidelbaugh JJ, Lee EM, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2023. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:670-672.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Community-acquired pneumonia in adults(Condition)Endocarditis(Condition)Salivary gland infections(Condition)Tenosynovitis(Condition)Pneumonia - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 12/4/2022 Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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Rat-bite feverStreptobacillary fever; Streptobacillosis; Haverhill fever; Epidemic arthritic erythema; Spirillary fever; SodokuRat-bite fever is a rare bacterial disease spread by the bite of an infected rodent. Causes Rat-bite fever can be caused by either of two different bacteria, Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus. Both of these are found in the mouths of rodents.The disease is most often seen in:Asia Europe North AmericaMost people get rat-bite fever through contact with urine or fluids from the mouth, eye, or nose of an infected animal. This most commonly occurs through a bite or scratch. Some cases may occur simply through contact with these fluids.A rat is usually the source of the infection. Other animals that may cause this infection include:Gerbils Squirrels Weasels Symptoms Symptoms depend on the bacteria that caused the infection.Symptoms due to Streptobacillus moniliformis may include:Chills Fever Joint pain, redness, or swelling Rash Symptoms due to Spirillum minus may include:Chills Fever Open sore at the site of the bite Rash with red or purple patches and bumps RashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Swollen lymph nodes near the bite Symptoms from either organism usually resolve within 2 weeks. Untreated, the symptoms, such as fever or joint pain, can keep returning for many weeks or longer. Exams and Tests The health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask about your symptoms. If the provider suspects rat bite fever, tests will be done to detect the bacteria in:Skin Blood Joint fluid Lymph nodes Blood antibody tests and other techniques may also be used.Blood antibody testsAntibody titer is a laboratory test that measures the level of antibodies in a blood sample.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Rat-bite fever is treated with antibiotics (typically oral) for 7 to 14 days. Outlook (Prognosis) The outlook is excellent with early treatment. If it is not treated, the death rate can be as high as 25%. Possible Complications Rat-bite fever may cause these complications: Abscesses of the brain or soft tissue AbscessesAn abscess is a collection of pus in any part of the body. In most cases, the area around an abscess is swollen and inflamed.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Infection of the heart valves Inflammation of the parotid (salivary) glands Inflammation of the tendons Inflammation of the heart lining When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if:You or your child has had recent contact with a rat or other rodent The person who was bitten has symptoms of rat-bite fever Prevention Avoiding contact with rats or rat-contaminated dwellings may help prevent rat-bite fever. Taking antibiotics by mouth promptly after a rat bite may also help prevent this illness.Open ReferencesReferencesMekala V, Washburn RG. Rat-bite fever: Streptobacillus moniliformis and Spirillum minus. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 231.Shandro JR, Jauregui JM. Wilderness-acquired zoonoses. In: Auerbach PS, Cushing TA, Harris NS, eds. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 34.Vyas JM. Rat-bite fever. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel D, Heidelbaugh JJ, Lee EM, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2023. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:670-672.