Keeping pets can be very rewarding. Spending time with an animal you love can improve your health by managing your stress and helping to lower blood pressure. Even so, you still need to be aware of the risk of diseases that can be passed from animals and infect humans.

Types of Diseases Transmitted by Pets

1. Rabies

Rabies is a serious infection that attacks the central nervous system and can be fatal to humans. Early symptoms often include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and excessive salivation. The virus is usually spread through bites, scratches, or direct contact with an animal carrier of the rabies virus.

Animals that commonly harbour the rabies virus include bats, wolves, raccoons, and skunks. In some developing countries, stray dogs can also pass rabies to humans. Because of this, you should be especially cautious if you decide to pet a stray dog.

2. Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It can be transmitted by eating undercooked meat containing the parasite, from contact with contaminated cat faeces, or vertical transmisson could occur from an infected pregnant mother to her baby.

The symptoms of toxoplasmosis often resemble flu-like symptoms, although some people do not experience any noticeable complaints at all. If a pregnant woman is infected, toxoplasmosis can lead to serious complications such as miscarriage or birth defects.

3. Cat scratch disease (bartonellosis)

Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection that spreads from cats to humans. It is transmitted through cat bites or scratches. Around three to fourteen days after a scratch, the wound may become red, swollen, and infected. Other possible symptoms include fever, headache, loss of appetite, and fatigue.

A pet cat can be infected up if they get bitten by another infected cat or infected fleas. To reduce the risk of infection, wash any cat bites or scratches immediately with soap and running water. You should also avoid letting cat saliva come into contact with open wounds.

4. Hookworm infection

Owning cats and dogs can increase your risk of getting a hookworm infection. Hookworms are parasites that live in the intestines of animals such as dogs and cats. Pets can become infected when they drink water containing hookworm larvae or when they eat other animals carrying these larvae.

5. Tapeworm infection

In addition to hookworms, having dogs or cats as your pet can also raise the risks of tapeworm infection. Pets can be infected when they swallow fleas that carry tapeworms. In adults, tapeworm infection may occur after eating meat that is contaminated. In children, it can develop if they accidentally ingest fleas containing tapeworm larvae.

6. Psittacosis

Psittacosis is a rare bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia psittaci. It can be transmitted by parrots, parakeets, and certain other bird species. Humans can become infected by inhaling dust from dried droppings in bird cages or through direct handling of sick birds. Droppings and debris in bird cages can remain infectious for weeks.

7.Lyme disease

Pets themselves do not directly spread Lyme disease, but you can catch it from ticks that live on your dog or cat. Symptoms vary from person to person, but an early sign often seen is a red skin rash that spreads outward over several days. If not treated, Lyme disease can lead to inflammation of the heart and damage to the nervous system.

Although playing with pets is an enjoyable activity, it is important to stay aware of diseases that can spread from animals. Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet, clean cages or living areas regularly, and keep your pet healthy. If you notice any unusual symptoms after contact with an animal, seek medical advice promptly.

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