Rat-bite Fever - Symptoms

Symptoms

Symptoms will be different for every person and will be different depending on the type of rat bite fever that a person is infected with. Both spirillary rat bite fever and streptobacillary rat bite fever have a few individual symptoms although most symptoms are crossovers. Streptobacillary is most commonly found in the United States and spirillary rat bite fever is generally diagnosed in patients in Africa and other countries. Rat bite symptoms are visually seen in most cases and include inflammation around the open sore. A rash can also spread around the area and appear red or purple. Other symptoms associated with streptobacillary rat bite fever include chills, fever, vomiting, headaches, and muscle aches. Joints can also become painfully swollen and pain can be experienced in the back. Along with rash and swollen joints, skin irritations like ulcers or inflammation can develop on the hands and feet. Wounds will heal slowly, so it is possible that symptoms will come and go over the course of a few months. It is important to contact a physician and report these symptoms immediately.

Symptoms associated with spirillary rat bite fever include issues with the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes which lie in the lymphatic system will often swell or inflame as a reaction to the disease or infection. The most common locations of lymph node swelling are in the neck, groin and underarm. Symptoms generally appear within two to ten days of exposure to the affected animal. It will begin with the fever and will progress to the rash that will appear on the hands and feet within two to four days. Rash will appear all over the body with this form of the infection and will rarely cause symptoms of joint pain.