Can You Get Sick From Old Mouse Droppings?
Small rodents like mice and rats may not seem so dangerous when you look at them. However, if you see them from a health perspective, you might realize how harmful they can actually be. Mice spread diseases through their saliva, urine, and feces.
These diseases can cause serious health conditions that can turn deadly without medical treatment. Once you realize that you are dealing with a mouse problem, you need to invest in rodent control services to prevent a full-on infestation. This can help you to avoid getting sick from mice and other small rodents.
Continue reading to learn about the illnesses you might get from old mouse droppings.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
The most prominent illness that you can get from mouse droppings is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). You can contract the deadly, respiratory illness by:
The symptoms of HPS usually begin with fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. Then, you might have some difficulty breathing along with headaches, nausea, dizziness, and severe stomach pains. Fortunately, the chance of actually contracting HPS is rare.
- Breathing in old mouse droppings from the air
- Touching mouse droppings then touching your face
- Getting bit by a mouse or rat
Leptospirosis (Weil's Disease)
Leptospirosis is another disease that you can get from mice. However, it's from mouse urine instead of mouse droppings which may be present if you are dealing with mouse droppings.
This bacterial infection can enter the body through cuts and abrasions, but it can also infiltrate the lining of the nose, mouth, and eyes. The symptoms of Leptospirosis come on quickly and include high fever, chills, conjunctivitis, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) is a rat-borne viral infection disease. Mice shed the LCM virus. Exposure to mouse droppings, urine, or saliva can cause symptoms to occur. The transmission occurs through direct contact with broken skin or in the nose, eyes, and mouth.
Symptoms of LCM include headache, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches. Once the infected individual is over the initial symptoms, the illness can cause serious neurological illnesses like meningitis, encephalitis, or meningoencephalitis.
Salmonellosis (Salmonella)
Mouse droppings can carry the bacteria that causes salmonella. Salmonella is a type of food poisoning that occurs when the infected individual consumes food contaminated with rat feces. The illness results several hours of fever, diarrhea, and stomach pains.
Can Mouse Droppings Make You Sick?
The best way to avoid illnesses caused by mouse droppings is to prevent mice from making a home within your walls in the first place. Make sure there are no small openings both inside and outside of your home where a mouse can fit through. It's also important to make sure that you don't leave any food out where a mouse might get into it.
Contact Planet Friendly Pet Control today to learn more about preventing a mouse infestation in your home. If you are already dealing with an infestation, we can help you get through it.
