Risks of Bats

Like all mammals bats can be carriers of rabies. Also, bat guano carries the spores for Histoplasmosis, a fungal infection most often affecting the lungs of humans.  The risk is much greater for those with immunity disorders, the elderly, the very young, and those with asthma.   These people are at much higher risk for developing meningitis.  Depending on the type contracted, symptoms include fever, chills, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, neck stiffness, mouth sores, skin lesions, body aches, rashes, and skin nodules.  Complications can cause scarring in the chest that can entrap major blood vessels, the esophagus, heart, and lymph nodes.

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