Pets may transmit infections and illnesses to humans

HealthDay News has published an article about a report that may be surprising to many pet owners. This particular report details how your pets can transmit a number of illnesses to you. Transmission can occur through being licked or even because your pet sleeps in the same bed as you do. 

The public health journal Emerging Infectious Diseases found that pets (even those which may seem perfectly healthy) can carry and transmit parasites, bacteria, and viruses which can potentially cause mild to life-threatening illness in their owners. When talking about this transmission, we are essentially talking about zoonotic diseases. A zoonotic disease is an infection that can be transferred between animals and people and, of the 250 known zoonotic diseases, over 100 can come from domesticated animals. While the risk of disease transmission is low, the risk still exists, and some of these zoonotic diseases can have severe effects on your skin. 

Here are some of the more common zoonotic diseases which can transfer from pet to owner.

Creeping eruption

If you are a pet owner, chances are you may have heard of hookworms. This is a common parasite that can affect both dogs and cats and, unbeknownst to pet owners, humans. When hookworm is passed from a pet to a human, it can manifest in severe itching, blisters, or a creeping skin rash. Hookworm is transmitted through a condition called cutaneous larva migrans, leading to a skin infection known as creeping eruption.

Bacterial skin infections

Pets, especially those who spend time outdoors, are susceptible to several bacterial infections. Many of these can pass to humans through various ways, including contact with urine or feces, saliva, or their coat. Staphylococcus bacteria are most likely to cause skin infection in humans. Thankfully, many of the bacterial infections which you may encounter are treatable with an antibiotic.

Ringworm

Not actually a worm, ringworm is a condition triggered by a fungal infection that can affect humans and pets. Ringworm is considered a zoonotic disease that can be transferred from pet to owner and from owner to pet. Symptoms of ringworm include hair loss, skin lesions, itching, and a scaly scalp. Ringworm can be treated with antifungal medication.

 These are just a few examples of zoonotic diseases that can be transferred from pet to owner through various contact methods, such as letting your pet sleep in the same bed as you, kissing your pet, letting your pet lick you, etc. Those greatest at risk are the elderly, children under the age of five, and patients who suffer from HIV/AIDS and cancer.