rat-bite fever
"Rat-bite fever" is a zoonotic illness transmitted from rodents to humans, typically through bites or contaminated food and water.
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Definition
C1Infectious Diseases
(medical, technical)A bacterial infection transmitted through rodent bites, scratches, or ingestion of contaminated food or water, causing fever, rash, and joint pain.
Example
- After being bitten by a rat, she developed rat-bite fever and needed immediate medical treatment.
- Contaminated food can also be a source of rat-bite fever, so hygiene is crucial.
C2Zoonotic Diseases
(medical, technical)An illness caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus, featuring symptoms like fever, migratory joint pain, and rash.
Example
- Rat-bite fever, caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis, can lead to severe health complications if untreated.
- The spirillary form of rat-bite fever, more common in Asia, presents with distinctive relapsing fever.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "rat-bite fever":