Being bitten by a rat can be a painful experience, but more importantly, rats are carriers of over 70 transmittable diseases. Health wise, you must be sure to take care of any rat bites immediately.
The teeth of rats are very large. Rodents have strong, sharp teeth capable of chewing wood, so they can deliver a deep bite. Rats' teeth never stop growing and they need to gnaw on hard objects to keep their teeth in shape.
If you live near an open area, such as a park or field, or near urban areas, like train stations, you need to be aware of the populations of rats in those areas. Rat bites are rare but they can cause diseases, such as leptospirosis and Hantavirus, which can be deadly to humans. They also can transmit rat-bite fever and tetanus. However, contrary to popular belief, rodents do not carry rabies.
If a rat bites you, you should clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water and apply a topical antibiotic cream to the wound. Some rat bites are deep and others shallow, but if there is excessive bleeding, stop that first before dressing the wound. Infection is rare, but you should check the bite site for changes. If the wound changes color, feels hot or becomes infected, you should seek medical attention. If a rat bite victim exhibits any other signs, such as fever, nausea or vomiting, take them to the emergency room.
Rats are common household pests that can be very dangerous. If you have them in your home, it is essential to get rid of them safely and quickly.