It is not the same to talk about a virus, bacteria, parasites, fungi… Each species has its own risks and conditions and they don’t normally pass from one species to another. However, some conditions can be transmitted incidentally from an animal to a human and this is called zoonosis.
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Next, we’re going to dive into the topic and find out from a good source, how true that question can be.
Can a pet with the flu spread it to its owner?
Viruses are generally species-specific and rarely transmitted from one species to another. However, there are special cases in which rare and aggressive strains occur (avian flu, swine flu, H1N1) because human viruses have more contact with bird or farm animal viruses and there may be a genetic combination that leads to a new virus that has the ability to mix between species and then spread from human to human.
Most of these rare and aggressive viruses come from Asia, are part of the influenza A viruses and more than pets, they refer to domestic farm animals.
Can fleas spread between dogs, cats, and humans?
It’s the same with external parasites, each species has its own: dog fleas are different from those on cats and birds. Humans don’t get fleas, although they can bite them.
Animal fleas can transmit diseases to humans, as can ticks, although this is more prevalent in rural areas.
As for parasites and bacteria of animals, such as interaction with humans
Gastrointestinal parasites, worms, or bacteria can pass from pet to people, but more by contact with fecal matter or saliva than by direct contact with them. Just as two humans should not eat from the same spoon, they should not share utensils with pets, nor should they give them kisses on the mouth.
Care must be taken in the handling of excrement, as the greatest parasite and bacterial load is found in them. It can also happen that infections occur in the feet when stepping on them unintentionally (on the beach, in a garden, etc.) and that they contain parasites and these enter through a small wound or laceration in the skin.
How fungi behave with humans
Many of the cases of children with skin fungus are related to a pet at home that suffers from them, so it is important to keep them healthy. Fungi do not discriminate species and simply look for an appropriate environment where they can multiply.
Cats and Toxoplasmosis
Most cases occur due to the consumption of improperly washed fruits and vegetables, the consumption of contaminated water or poorly cooked meats. Cats themselves do not spread the parasite, it is in their feces and therefore improper handling can lead to contagion.
If you wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning your stool box or if you wear gloves, the risk of contracting it is minimal. In addition, not all cats are carriers of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, a cat that does not go outside, raised at home and vaccinated is very unlikely to be infected.
Pregnant women should handle the cat box with gloves and always wash their hands before eating.
As for animal bites: Will they get infected?
Just as you should disinfect a cut from shaving, or a scrape from a fall, it is important to disinfect a scratch from a cat, a bite from a parrot or a dog.
Cats can transmit the bacterium Bartonella henselae in a scratch and it can cause inflammation, irritation and even fever. Dogs and birds can have countless bacteria on their paws and beaks, and therefore any scratches should be disinfected.
Children & Elderly & Pets
Children under five years of age, the elderly, pregnant women, people who have defense problems (under chemotherapy, transplants or who have used steroids for a long time) are more susceptible to getting sick and therefore must be more careful in their management.
However, balancing the benefits and risks of having or not having pets, it could be said that it is more beneficial to have them than not to have them. In the case of children, early contact with pets has beneficial effects both psychologically and on the development of the immune system.
They favor the development of empathy, respect for nature and other species, and generate responsibility and the ability to care for and care for others. In the case of pregnant women, they help reduce stress, distress and are an important emotional support. And in the case of seniors, they provide companionship, affection, and a caregiving routine that keeps them mentally active and emotionally stable.
