In simple words: Streptobacillosis is a type of rat-bite fever you can get from being bitten by an infected rat or by eating or drinking something contaminated with rat waste. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint aches, and rash. Sometimes, it can cause serious problems like heart, brain, or lung infections.

Streptobacillosis, also known as Haverhill fever or epidemic arthritic erythema, is a form of rat-bite fever caused by the bacterium Streptobacillus moniliformis.It's characterized by fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pain, and a skin rash.In severe cases, it can lead to infections of the heart, brain, or lungs, or abscesses in various organs. Transmission typically occurs through a rat bite or ingestion of food or water contaminated with rat waste. The disease is more common in North America.

Example 1: A patient presents with fever, chills, joint pain, and a rash after being bitten by a rat. Lab tests confirm Streptobacillus moniliformis infection., A family experiences an outbreak of fever, vomiting, and rash after consuming unpasteurized milk contaminated with rat feces.They are diagnosed with Haverhill fever, a form of streptobacillosis., A laboratory worker develops symptoms consistent with rat-bite fever, including fever and joint pain, after handling rats.Diagnostic tests identify Streptobacillus moniliformis as the causative agent.

Documentation should include details of the suspected exposure (e.g., rat bite, contaminated food/water), clinical findings (fever, rash, joint pain, etc.), and laboratory results confirming the presence of Streptobacillus moniliformis.