sutto75
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A woman who caught rat bite fever from kissing and cuddling her pet rodent has sparked concerns the disease may become more widespread as the animals are welcomed into homes.
An article in the Medical Journal of Australia published on Monday, describes how a 26-year-old Adelaide woman was admitted to hospital last year with an unrelenting headache.
She went on to develop respiratory distress and a rash on her limbs, palms and soles of her feet.
Doctors soon discovered she had two pet rats on which she lavished cuddles and kisses.
She was treated in the intensive care unit and spent 17 days in hospital, making a full recovery.
According to Dr Lito Papanicolas and co-authors, the woman's illness was a warning that the potentially fatal illness could become more common as rodent ownership rises.
"Rat bite fever, as the name suggests, is usually acquired through a rat bite," the authors write.
"However, the disease can result from handling and exposure to excreta or saliva of rodents such as rats or guinea pigs."
Historically, the disease has been associated with squalor and slum-dwelling, but this was changing as people started bringing the rodents into their homes as pets, the authors said.
"Victims in recent years have included laboratory workers, pet shop employees, and increasingly, owners of pet rats.
"As this case demonstrates, a bite is not necessary for infection - close contact with rodents may be sufficient.
"As rodents become more popular as household pets, more cases of S. moniliformis (rat bite fever) infection due to affectionate contact are likely to occur."
Just Snake poo to me......
An article in the Medical Journal of Australia published on Monday, describes how a 26-year-old Adelaide woman was admitted to hospital last year with an unrelenting headache.
She went on to develop respiratory distress and a rash on her limbs, palms and soles of her feet.
Doctors soon discovered she had two pet rats on which she lavished cuddles and kisses.
She was treated in the intensive care unit and spent 17 days in hospital, making a full recovery.
According to Dr Lito Papanicolas and co-authors, the woman's illness was a warning that the potentially fatal illness could become more common as rodent ownership rises.
"Rat bite fever, as the name suggests, is usually acquired through a rat bite," the authors write.
"However, the disease can result from handling and exposure to excreta or saliva of rodents such as rats or guinea pigs."
Historically, the disease has been associated with squalor and slum-dwelling, but this was changing as people started bringing the rodents into their homes as pets, the authors said.
"Victims in recent years have included laboratory workers, pet shop employees, and increasingly, owners of pet rats.
"As this case demonstrates, a bite is not necessary for infection - close contact with rodents may be sufficient.
"As rodents become more popular as household pets, more cases of S. moniliformis (rat bite fever) infection due to affectionate contact are likely to occur."
Just Snake poo to me......
