When you have rodents in your home, it is not only irritating and disgusting, but it can also be hazardous to your health and the health of your family. Even if they aren’t bothering you directly, there are ways that they can bring in different problems that can make you and your family sick. They usually don’t enter into your home completely alone. See below to learn how rodents are truly a health hazard.
How Rodents Can Affect Your Family’s Health
They carry disease through their droppings, contaminating your food and water or scratching or biting you directly. A variety of diseases can be transmitted from rodents in different ways. Rodents can also multiply quickly. When they do, so will the diseases that you’re exposed to. Depending on the circumstances, various diseases can affect you and your family.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is passed through direct contact with rat urine or feces or getting bit by a rat. It is fatal in more than half of its cases and children are more likely to get this disease than adults are. It has caused more than 500 deaths since 1993. You may think it’s the flu because symptoms include fever, fatigue and shortness of breath.
Salmonellosis is transmitted by consuming water or food that has been contaminated by rat feces. This strain of food poisoning can be very painful and can be easily transferred between humans once someone is infected. Symptoms include nausea, fever and diarrhea.
Rat-bite fever is transmitted from either rat bites or scratches. It can also be caused by ingesting contaminated food or beverages. If not properly treated, damage can be long-term. Symptoms include nausea, rash, fever and headaches. These symptoms can persist for up to three months after exposure.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is transmitted through contact with rat urine or saliva. Symptoms include aches, fever, meningitis, nausea and encephalitis. These symptoms can also be long-term, and you could suffer neurological damage if you’re not treated.
Rodents bring in allergens. Allergens can be found in mouse urine or dander. You may come into contact with these substances and not even realize it. Contact with rodent urine or breathing in dander can easily make you sick. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, allergies and other asthma-related illnesses.
Rodents can also bring in other smaller pests like lice, ticks and fleas. These things can make their way onto you and your pets and can cause many problems.
With all of the problems that rodents can cause, it’s imperative that you take care of an infestation as soon as possible. It can be difficult to get rid of them yourself, so working with a professional is the best course of action. Contact Us now for information on options!
