Cute, friendly and fun: Pets bring a lot to your life, but in rare cases they can also bring disease, experts warn.
Dr. Stacey Rhodes, associate professor of infectious diseases and internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, points out that there are many health benefits to owning a pet.
For example, having dogs or cats in the house can slow down the development of a child's immune system against certain allergens. Pets are also known to relieve stress and can help lower the risk of high blood pressure and depression, Rose noted in a Baylor news release.
However, there are hidden health risks, especially for pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems due to illness, organ transplants, or HIV infection.
These people are at risk for toxoplasmosis, caused by the Toxoplasma bacteria found in cat feces, Rose said.
Hookworms (in this case, found in dog feces) are another infectious disease to watch out for. So be sure to wash your hands after picking up your dog.
Additionally, you are at risk of being bitten or scratched by dogs, cats, and other pets.
Cat bites, in particular, can transmit a dangerous microorganism called Pasteurella multocida, and dog bites can transmit another dangerous bacteria called Capnocytophaga canimorsus.
Infections with these bacteria can be dangerous and even fatal for people with weakened immune systems, Rose said.
Dogs and cats that roam outdoors can come into contact with rodents, possums, raccoons, and other wildlife. Rose said the main health problems there are insects such as fleas and ticks that live on these animals and the diseases they spread.
For example, typhus is a flea-borne disease that can cause a rash, fever, and other symptoms in humans.
“You don't have to have direct contact with the rodent to be at risk. If your pet gets along well with other animals and fleas are transferred from the rodent to your pet, your pet could transmit the disease. ,” Rose said. He explained.
Bartonella henselae disease is also a flea-borne bacterium and is also known as “cat-scratch disease” because it is so closely related to cats.
Rose said this is most commonly associated with kitten scratches. If your kitten has fleas, flea-infected feces can enter the cat's body through the wound.
According to a news release from Baylor University, “Children and adults with normal immune systems may develop large lymph nodes after scratching and may disappear on their own, but those with weakened immune systems may develop the same bug.” It can cause a wide range of illnesses, including bloodstream infections and infections of the heart, heart valves, eyes, liver, and spleen. ”
Additionally, there are diseases that can be transmitted from scaly, cold-blooded pets such as turtles, lizards, and snakes.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to issue warnings about salmonella infections in people, often young children, after handling these animals.
Elderly people and people with compromised immune systems should also avoid handling pet reptiles or wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water if they do.
“There are many reasons why we can and should have pets, but the only ones we need are [to] “Be aware of your own immune system and potential risks,” Rose says, adding, “It's also important to take good care of your pet, including keeping their environment clean and using flea prevention.” We must be conscientious pet owners for our own health and the health of our family and neighbors. ”
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