Rats and Babies
Rats are nuisance that plagues the human race. Ubiquitous creatures, they can find an abode anywhere. With no respect for social status and positions, they have followed the human race and have caused them all sort of troubles. Destruction. Disease carriers. They damage structures that holds the home: appliances, books and even furniture. They are also known to be carriers of diseases such as salmonella (food poisoning), jaundice and typhus. They pass these to humans through bites. All human of all ages are their possible victims. Even babies, you might wonder. Yes, they attack and bite sleeping babies.
It's commonly said animals attacks when left with no option during confrontation. Rats will bite babies even when unprovoked. As nocturnal animals, foraging and most activities are carried out at night. Relying on very good eyesight and great sense of smell, the dark is definitely no problem for these creatures. They search frantically all nights for food. The search doesn't make your sleeping baby a victim. For a number reasons, your baby (not the most viable food) might be bitten.
- Your child lacks enough protection
- Your child possibly has remains of milk on the body
- You've not sealed off possible entry points.
- Unexpected body movements might startle rats.
Rats have occasionally sneaked into sleeping beds and have taken bite off babies’ skin. Sometimes bites are not severe but in cases such as that of the Arkansas baby who received over 75 to 100 rat, rats’ bites can be severe enough to get a facial surgery. It has been discovered that 88 percent of rat bites were to extremities of the body. Your baby's arm, wrist, hand and finger are body parts you should always look to check. Reports of rat bites are very underreported, hence, the probability you might discard markings.
Rat bites might be shallow or deep but always come with bleeding. Bites may appear to be just a single puncture or multiple wounds. Pain, redness and irritation might set in. In cases of secondary infection, wound might be filled with pus. Symptoms of rat bites are usually evident between 3 to 10 days.
Can they transmit diseases to my baby? Yes, but with a very low likelihood. Only 1 in 50 people bitten by rats get infected. Common symptoms of disease infections include fever, swelling and rashes and swollen nodesat site of bite(s). Infections they might transmit include:
- Rat bite fever: causes inflammation, fever and vomiting.
- Salmonella: causes food poisoning.
- Tetanus infection
- Hantavirus, Leptospirosis are transmitted by rat's saliva.
Conclusion
Your baby is almost as vulnerable as not having any immune system. It's your duty to protect during the day, and even at night. Your sleeping baby is not the ideal rat food but it is still on the list. Prevention rat bites by keeping your baby in cribs, bassinet and bed rather than have them sleep on the group. Is your child bitten? Head straight to a trained physician to help out. Your sleeping baby should not sleep with crumbs of food around. Your baby is no preference but rats will consider in the absence of enough.
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