The initial rat bite wound usually heals within 2-4 days, but an open wound may be present for more than 10 days.

Initial symptoms of rat bite fever occur 2-10 days after the bite:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Joint pains
• Joint swelling (multiple joints)

Several days later, symptoms of rat bite fever may include:

• Rash:
• Looks like broken blood vessels under the skin
• The rash may occur on the arms and legs, or cover most of the body.
• Severe joint pains
• Severe joint swelling (multiple joints)