Infections That Pets Carry

Common Infections That Pets Carry

Dogs and cats are popular pets among families with children but they may carry infections such as:

Campylobacter infection: Transmitted by household pets carrying Campylobacter jejuni bacteria, which cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever in people. The campylobacter bacteria may exist in the intestinal tract of an infected domestic or wild animal, and a person can become infected through contact with contaminated water, feces, or unpasteurized milk. More than 2 million cases of campylobacter infection occur each year in the United States, and C. jejuni is now the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis. Campylobacter infections are contagious, especially among members of the same family and children in day care or preschools. Children with campylobacter infection are generally treated with antibiotics.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF): Carried by infected ticks that attach themselves to animal skin, particularly dogs. The ticks are infected by the Rickettsia bacteria, which can cause high fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches, as well as a rash that may spread across the wrists, ankles, palms, soles, and trunk of the body. RMSF is not contagious and can be treated with antibiotics. RMSF is most common in the south central and the mid-south Atlantic regions of the United States.

Toxocariasis: An illness caused by the parasitic roundworm Toxocara, which lives in the intestines of dogs and cats. The eggs from the worms are passed in the stools of dogs and cats, often contaminating soil where children play. When a child ingests the contaminated soil, the eggs hatch in the intestine and the larvae spread to other organs, an infection known as visceral larva migrans. Symptoms include fever, cough or wheezing, enlarged liver, rash, or swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms may resolve on their own, or a doctor may prescribe drugs to kill the larvae. When the larvae in the intestine make their way through the bloodstream to the eye, it is known as ocular toxocariasis, or ocular larva migrans, which may lead to a permanent loss of vision.

Toxoplasmosis: Contracted after contact with a parasite found in cat feces. In most healthy people, toxoplasmosis infection produces no symptoms. When symptoms do occur they may include swollen glands, fatigue, muscle pain, fever, sore throat, and a rash. In pregnant women, toxoplasmosis can cause miscarriage, premature births, and severe illness and blindness in newborns. Pregnant women should avoid contact with litter boxes. People whose immune systems have been weakened by illnesses such as HIV or cancer are at risk for severe complications from toxoplasmosis infection.

Dog and cat bites: May become infected and cause serious problems, particularly bites to the face and hands. Cat bites tend to be worse, partly because they are deeper puncture wounds. Significant bites should be washed out thoroughly. Often these bite wounds require treatment in a doctor's office or emergency room; antibiotics are sometimes necessary.

Keeping Your Family and Your Pet Healthy

That said, you don't have to give up your family's furry friends altogether. Pets can enrich your family life, and with a few precautions you can help to protect your child from contracting infections.

Protecting your family from pet-related infections begins before bringing a pet home. Some animals are not recommended for homes with children and may increase the likelihood that your child may contract an infection. Reptiles should not be allowed as pets in any household with young children.

Also consider the health and age of your child before bringing a pet into your home. A pet that would require frequent handling is not recommended for any immunocompromised child (such as a child who has HIV, has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, or uses prednisone frequently). Children with eczema or atopic dermatitis should probably avoid aquariums.