After the news has came into notice that an Adelaide woman has been admitted to intensive care unit at a hospital after she kissed and cuddled her two mice. The health authorities have started to publicize warnings in this regard.

The woman, who has now been discharged, was admitted at the Royal Adelaide Hospital for 17 days. She contracted the potentially deadly streptobacillus moniliformis infection as well as developed severe pneumonitis and meningitis problem.

It is not the first case that has come to their notice, told infectious diseases physician Narin Bak. They have prepared a report, which has appeared in the Medical Journal of Australia. They have affirmed that such incidents will become a common phenomenon as people have started to keep rodents as pets.

They in their love forget that a certain distance is necessary, which should be maintained. Kissing them and cuddling are some of the activities which they should avoid, said Bak.

Some of the common symptoms a person can develop after contracting an infection from rodents are severe headache, fever, ringworms, inflammation in lungs and brain and cat scratch fever and roundworm.

Earlier these problems were restricted to two kinds of people. Firstly, who were pet shop workers and secondly, those who live in poor and slum conditions. Now, the phenomenon has been passed on to pet owners and the trend is here to stay as people’s love to keep mouse, guinea pigs is on rise.

"As pet rodents become more popular as household pets, more cases of S. moniliformis infection due to affectionate contact are likely to occur”, said Bak. If one is interested to keep such pets then they should keep some of the things in their mind.

Firstly, they should avoid coming in contact with pets excreta. Secondly, they should maintain good hand hygiene policy. Kissing and cuddling the pets are not the only reason to gift you with infection and close contact with them is also sufficient to give you the disease.