QuestionQUESTION: We found what we believe to be animal or bug droppings of some sort in our upstairs hallway and a cloth house (big enough to crawl through) for our toddlers. They were very hard - hard enough that as I was handling them I thought they were black bits of plastic bc when I put them in between my pointer finger and thumb they left imprints - did not crumble and were not clay-like such as fresh droppings would be. However in a clorox wipe they did seem to leave a brownish stain. We talked to an exterminator who will be looking at them on Tues but he doesn't seem to think that they are mouse droppings b/c they were so hard and the size but they could be wood roach - we live in the "country" and he said even if they were mouse droppings (again he said unlikely) they would have to be super old to be that hard.
Here are my concerns:
1. I am 32 weeks pregnant - and I did touch them.
2. Before I could stop my toddler she took out a book that had been in the house near the droppings and a tea cup out and apparently were playing with them in her room while I was cleaning the downstairs. My husband said it wasn't a big deal grrr. So even though we didn't find them directly on those items they were near - what should we do? Should we take her to a ped?
3. I am due in a few weeks and I'm concerned that she may have touched a couple of the outfits for the new baby - should those be washed?
Is any of this a concern or am I losing it thanks to hormones? (thanks pregnancy)
ANSWER: that sounds like mouse dropping to me... but unless anyone gets sick, there is no intervention that will be necessary. Good handwashing and watch for signs of GI problems... nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever.
Chances are overwhelming that everyone is OK and you will be fine.
No comments on the last question.... I learned a long time ago not to answer hormone questions :)
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QUESTION: Thank you for your answer :) I do however have one more question - thanks to MIL I know know of a disease called Hantavirus (she called today) could I have put myself, my unborn baby, or one of my toddlers at risk?
She said that it has to be swept up or the particles in the air - whatever we handled or were around was super hard like plastic but apparently not... I did touch it and looked at it with it near my face so I could see.
Any advice? we live in the triad area of NC
AnswerFortunately that is very rare despite the prevalence of animal droppings... I hate to gross you out but here are a lot more animal waste that we never see and the risk of contracting those illnesses is very very low despite...... so with the exposure you described, I would not be worried.
