Can your PETS make you SICK? Doctor Explains 5 Real Cases

By rjoachim | November 9, 2023

Through direct contact: This can occur through bites, scratches, or licking. For example, cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted from cats to humans through scratches.
Through indirect contact: This can occur through contact with an animal’s waste, saliva, or dander. For example, Salmonella is a bacteria that can be found in animal feces and can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps in humans.
Through vectors: This can occur through ticks, fleas, or mosquitoes that have bitten an infected animal. For example, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted from ticks to humans and can cause fever, rash, and joint pain.

Here are some of the most common illnesses that pets can transmit to humans:

Campylobacteriosis: This bacterial infection can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.
Cat scratch fever: This bacterial infection can cause swollen lymph nodes, fever, headaches, and fatigue.
Giardiasis: This parasitic infection can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and weight loss.
Hookworm infection: This parasitic infection can cause anemia, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Rabies: This viral infection can cause encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain.
Ringworm: This fungal infection can cause itchy, red, ring-shaped patches on the skin.
Salmonella: This bacterial infection can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Toxocariasis: This parasitic infection can cause abdominal pain, coughing, and shortness of breath.

There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of getting sick from your pet:

Wash your hands frequently: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling your pet, their food, or their waste.
Keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date: This will help to protect them from diseases that they can transmit to you.
Practice good hygiene: Keep your pet’s living area clean and free of waste.
Avoid contact with your pet’s saliva, dander, or waste: This can be difficult, but it is important to avoid touching your pet’s eyes, nose, or mouth.
See your doctor if you think you may be sick: If you have any symptoms of an illness that could be caused by your pet, see your doctor right away.

With proper precautions, you can enjoy a healthy and happy life with your pet.