Is the chance of getting sick from a rat bite high?

Generally, the likelihood of getting sick from a rat bite depends on the specific condition of the wound. If bitten by a wild rat and the wound is not promptly treated, the risk of illness is usually high; however, if proper wound care is administered immediately after the bite, the risk is generally low. Seek medical attention promptly if any discomfort occurs. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If bitten by a wild rat and the wound is not treated promptly, the risk of infection is relatively high. Rats, especially wild ones, may carry various diseases such as plague, leptospirosis, and hantavirus. Being bitten by an infected wild rat increases the likelihood of contracting these diseases.

If the bite is minor with a small wound, and proper wound management—such as washing with soap and water and disinfecting—is performed promptly, the risk of illness is significantly reduced.

After a rat bite, to minimize the risk of disease, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly for appropriate vaccinations and targeted treatments.