Symptoms and Signs

Symptoms are often different for the two types of RBF: streptobacillary RBF and spirillary RBF. Symptoms and signs of streptobacillary RBF include:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Joint pain
• Rash

Symptoms usually occur 3-10 days after exposure to an infected rodent, but can be delayed as long as 3 weeks. By this time, any associated bite or scratch wound has usually healed.
Within 2-4 days after fever onset, a maculopapular rash may appear on the hands and feet. This rash is identified by flat, reddened areas with small bumps. One or more joints may then become swollen, red, or painful.
Symptoms and signs of spirillary RBF (also known as sodoku) can vary and often include:

• Fever (that may occur repeatedly)
• Development of an ulcer at the bite wound (when applicable)
• Swelling near the wound
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Rash (occurs following partial healing of the wound)

These symptoms usually occur 7-21 days after exposure to an infected rodent.
The symptoms associated with Haverhill fever (RBF you can get from consuming contaminated food or water) can differ from those that occur when you get the disease through bites and/or scratches. The most notable differences may include more severe vomiting and sore throat.

Treatment

If you have any symptoms of rat-bite fever after exposure to rats or other rodents, please immediately contact your health care provider. Be sure to tell your provider of your exposure to rodents.
If you have RBF, your doctor can give you antibiotics that are highly effective at curing the disease. Penicillin is the antibiotic most often used. If you are allergic to penicillin, your doctor can give you other antibiotics. Without treatment, RBF can be serious or potentially fatal. Severe illnesses can include:

• Infections involving the heart (endocarditis, myocarditis, or pericarditis)
• Infections involving the brain (meningitis)
• Infections involving the lungs (pneumonia)
• Abscesses in internal organs

While death from RBF is rare, it can occur if it goes untreated.

Prevention

You can protect yourself from RBF by:

• Avoiding contact with rodents or places where rodents may be present
• Avoiding drinking milk or water that may have come in contact with rodents
• Drinking pasteurized milk and water from safe sources

If you handle rats or clean their cages:

• Wear protective gloves
• Practice regular handwashing
• Avoid touching your mouth with your hands

Transmission

There are several ways people can get RBF. The most common include:

• Bites or scratches from infected rodents (such as rats, mice, and gerbils)
• Handling rodents with the disease (even without a bite or scratch)
• Consuming food or drink contaminated with the bacteria

RBF is not spread from one person to another.