Waarmee kun je besmet raken door een kat?

Like any animal, cats are carriers of various diseases. Let's consider what you can get infected from a four-legged pet and how to prevent it.

According to studies, there are more than 250 diseases that can be transmitted from cats. But the risk of contracting so many diseases is theoretical. To date, about 20 parasitic and infectious pathologies are registered, which can develop in people after contact with furry pets.

Some diseases cats do not get sick, but act as their carriers. At the same time, animals get most pathologies from people. We bring pathogens into the house on shoes and clothes without realizing it. As a result, both the cat and its owner are infected.

Common zooanthroponotic pathologies:

• Rabies.
• Microsporia.
• Helminths.
• Brucellosis.
• Toxoplasmosis.
• Trichinosis.
• Salmonellosis and others.

The most dangerous disease on this list is rabies. Rare facts of human infection through animals are registered annually. A reliable way to prevent this pathology is annual routine vaccination of pets against leptospirosis.

There are a number of simple rules that all cat owners need to follow:

• Wash your hands after cleaning the cat's litter box or having contact with the animal.
• Vaccinate your pet regularly and give anthelmintics.
• Immediately after acquiring the pet, get a set of laboratory tests (toxoplasmosis, worms, chlamydia).
• Feed your pet quality foods.
• Keep your pet from hunting rodents, as they act as carriers of many dangerous diseases.
• At the first sign that you or your cat is feeling worse, go to the hospital.

Owners should keep in mind that playfulness, shiny coat, clean eyes and good appetite are no guarantee that a cat is healthy. All diseases have a certain incubation period, and some are asymptomatic.

For example, felinosis or bartonellosis, a.k.a. Cat scratch disease. Its pathogen lives in the cat's urine and saliva. The cat is licked, and its saliva remains on the fur, in the depressions under the claws. Therefore, when such a pet scratches the owner, germs can get into the blood of a person. On the site of an already healed scratch, a pustule is formed. With blood, bacteria are spread throughout the body. Against this background, a person's temperature rises, lymph nodes become inflamed, a rash appears, the liver and spleen increase.

Can I get an infection from a house cat?

The risk of contracting infectious or parasitic diseases from pets frightens their owners. Despite the large list of transmissible pathologies, there are actually not so many highly contagious ones. Most often, worm infections, ringworm, and rabies are contracted from a domestic cat.

All infectious pathologies of animals and humans should be divided into two groups:

1. Common infectious diseases - most of these disorders have the same names, but are not contagious, as they arise due to different pathogens. For example, cats, as well as people can be sick with chlamydia, but only some strains are dangerous for the latter. In this case, the path of transmission is transmissible or alimentary.
2. Animal-to-human infections - when considering these diseases, the differences in the immune systems of both species should be taken into account. For example, shingles and rabies are acutely contagious, while many other pathologies have different courses in cats and humans. Yersiniosis in the animal has an asymptomatic course, while in humans it has severe clinical symptoms. Toxoplasmosis is severe in cats, but has a latent course in humans.

When studying diseases that can be contracted from a cat, special attention should be paid to risk factors. The owners whose pets hunt rodents are most susceptible to infection. In this case, the risk of infection depends on the immune system of the person and his care of the animal, since most pathologies of infectious nature have oral-fecal, alimentary and vector-borne pathways of transmission.

Diseases that can be contracted from cats?

Cats are some of the most popular pets and have won the hearts of millions. But like any living organism, tailed creatures get sick. Some diseases are dangerous not only for the animal, but also for humans.

• Rabies is one of the most serious diseases. It negatively affects the CNS, causing serious behavioral abnormalities. The patient becomes aggressive, it is difficult for him to swallow, control the coordination of movements and breathing. For a cat, the prognosis of such a disease is paralysis and death. If an infected animal bites a person, then without timely medical care, the same outcome awaits him.
• Microsporia - lichen planus is the most common contagion transmitted from cats. The disease is caused by fungal microspores that actively multiply on the surface of the skin. Redness, rash and flaky crusts appear in the affected area.
• Worms - an infected animal can transmit helminthiasis not only to its owner, but also to other pets. Most of all, kittens are susceptible to infection. In fluffy cats, the disease is manifested by a lethargic state, inflated belly, stool problems. To prevent this problem, regular deworming should be performed and hands should be washed thoroughly after contact with four-legged friends.
• Toxoplasmosis - infection occurs by eating raw meat. In cats, toxoplasma causes acute symptoms, in humans it can be asymptomatic. The greatest danger of parasitic infection is for pregnant women.
• Salmonellosis - is caused by bacteria of the Salmonella type. In tails, clinical symptoms may be absent. In humans, infection is manifested by high body temperature, acute abdominal pain, stool problems and yellowing of the skin. The animal becomes infected by consuming poor quality food, and human infection is possible if simple hygiene rules are not observed.
• Tuberculosis is a dangerous infectious disease that affects both humans and animals. A sick pet coughs, loses weight sharply, suffers from GI disorders, nodules with granular content appear in the neck and head area. Infection occurs by eating meat or dairy products from sick animals, as well as possible aerogenic transfer of mycobacteria. Infection of humans from a cat is extremely rare, but is possible in case of violation of elementary rules of hygiene.
• Chlamydia - this disease is caused by microparasites, which are different from the sexually transmitted chlamydia in humans. Infection of a person from a pet occurs by airborne droplets. A sick animal has difficulty breathing, conjunctivitis, rhinitis is possible. With timely vaccination, the risk of infection is minimal.
• Aujeszky's is a viral disease that is acute and fatal in cats. A person can become ill if saliva, milk and other secretions of the animal come into contact with an open wound.
• Pasteurellosis is a rare pathology that occurs due to bites or scratches of ponytails. After a while, the damaged tissues drain and a vesicular rash appears on them. Without timely treatment, the infection penetrates into the systemic bloodstream, causing serious complications.
• Tularemia is an infectious disease, the symptoms of which are similar in cats and humans. It is manifested by severe intoxication of the body, stomatitis, fever. With timely treatment for medical help has a favorable prognosis, both for tails and people.

In order to minimize the risk of infection with the above pathologies and to protect the pet from them, it is necessary to vaccinate the cat and regularly carry out deworming. It is also necessary to wash your hands after communicating with your mustachioed friend, if the animal is sick, it is better to minimize any contact with him and go to the hospital. Regularly wash the pet's dishes, using disinfectants. Do not let the animal outdoors and feed it high class food.

Can a child get infected from a cat?

All pets can carry health risks for adults and children. Let's look at the most common diseases a child can get from a cat:

• Helminthiasis.
• Toxoplasmosis.
• Microsporia.
• Felinosis.
• Rabies.

Another problem that can be caused by furry friends is allergies. The manifestation of an allergic reaction to animals is quite difficult to distinguish from signs of food or contact allergies. Getting into the child's body, the allergen triggers a cycle of immunopathologic reactions that entail damage to the skin and mucous membranes, GI tract, respiratory tract. Therefore, if the child has a congenital immunodeficiency, it is better not to get a cat.

To minimize your baby's risk of infection from a pet, follow these rules:

• The cat should be vaccinated, treated for helminths and other parasites, and examined by a veterinarian.
• The pet should not have access to the infant's belongings, stroller or crib. Many experts insist that a child under one year of age should not have contact with the pet.
• Observe the rules of hygiene, regularly clean and disinfect the animal's litter box, wash your hands after interacting with the cat.

You should also tell your pediatrician if you have a cat in the house. This will allow the doctor to detect early signs of possible illnesses that may be caused by a tailed friend.

Can I get worms from a cat?

One of the most common diseases that people most often contract from cats is worms. Carriers of helminth larvae are insects, raw meat. Infection is possible with accidental ingestion of a parasite, for example, from a person's shoes. Therefore, even a domestic cat that has never been outdoors can be infected.

At the same time, it should be taken into account that endoparasites get into the environment with the fecal masses of the animal and can be carried on the hair. At first, the worm infestation of the pet does not manifest itself in any way, so the person still continues to kiss the pet, allows him to sleep on his bed and thus infected himself.

But after a while, the cat begins to lose weight, his coat looks dull, the animal may refuse to eat. The presence of such symptoms is a reason for emergency deworming of the cat and taking anthelmintic drugs for humans.

What worms can you get from a cat?

Helminthiasis is a disease caused by worms. A person can contract it from a cat. Most often worm infestations occur in kittens and small children. There are different types of parasite, the carrier of which can be tail friends:

• Ascarids.
• Pinworms.
• Lamblia.
• Vlasoglav.
• Toxocarosis.
• Echinococcosis.
• Multiceptosis.

To minimize the risk of infection, you should wash your hands thoroughly after each contact with your pet. If the cat walks outside, do not let it sleep on your bed. Do not feed raw meat, fish. Special attention should be paid to regular anthelmintic therapy of the pet. This will allow you to protect from worms not only yourself, but also your furry friend.

Is it possible to contract ascarids from a cat?

The intestinal tract of cats can be parasitized by three species of ascarids from the common roundworm suborder Ascaridata of the genus Ascaris:

• Toxocara leonine.
• Toxocara mystax.
• Toxacara catti.

If the animal has these parasites, the disease is called toxocarosis. Infection of the pet is possible when it is fed with low-quality food and if the cat periodically hunts rodents. It is wild mice that act as a natural reservoir for ascarids.

The danger for the animal is that a large number of helminths poison the body with toxic products of their metabolism. In some cases, large balls of worms burst the walls of the intestine of the pet, causing peritonitis and other complications. Cats release worm eggs into the environment with their feces, infecting everything around them: soil, furniture, furnishings and so on. In large quantities, the eggs of the parasite are on the hair of the sick animal, getting there during licking.

A person can get infected with ascarids from a cat, but the whole point is that feline toxocara cannot develop into a sexually mature individual. The larvae are carried into the internal organs and encapsulated. The process of parasitic infestation itself is not manifested in any way, but if the larvae remain in the body, it negatively affects the state of health. To treat this problem, universal anthelmintics are used, both for animals and for people. At the same time, disinfect all beds, toilets, feeders and other items with which the cat has been in contact.

Can I get shingles from a cat?

Dermatomycoses are zooanthroponotic diseases caused by microscopic pathogenic fungi that affect the skin and coat. To date, more than 18 varieties of the fungus are known to cause lichen planus in the cat. An infected animal has rounded bald spots on the body, most often on the ears and muzzle. These areas are very itchy and flaky, and grayish crusts of scales may form on them.

Humans become infected through close contact with a sick animal. The most commonly diagnosed types of shingles in humans are:

• Shearer.
• Bran.
• Pink.
• Red flat.
• Soggy.

The immunity of a healthy adult resists infection. The disease is especially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. Also in the risk group are people with immunodeficiency and the elderly, small children. Each type of shingles has its own manifestations in humans, let's consider the most contagious:

• Shearer.

Includes microsporia and trichophytosis. Occurs due to a fungus of the genus Trichophyton. Rashes are localized on the neck, head, shoulders, nail plates of hands and feet, less often on the face. Shingles look like pink-red spots of round shape.

The fungus affects the hair follicle, so in the foci there is a complete absence of hair cover or hairs are broken off, covered with a greasy gray plaque. The surface of the skin is covered with blisters and peels. Most often with this type of lichen planus is faced by children and adolescents. For treatment, antifungal drugs are prescribed for both cats and humans.

• Bran.

Occurs due to the yeast fungus Malassezia Furfur, affecting the back, chest and armpits. The lesion is formed at the base of the hair follicle, manifested by brown dots that quickly grow to rounded spots. Spots can merge into large foci, their surface is rough. Keratolytic and fungicidal agents are used for treatment.

• Pink.

This is Gibert's lichen planus, the disease is viral in nature. It occurs more often in the cold season when the immune system is weakened. Rashes in the form of large pink spots appear on the back, chest, shoulders. It is accompanied by elevated body temperature, chills and fever. Specific treatment is not required, all symptoms disappear after the rash disappears.

To reduce the risk of contracting shingles from a pet, preventive measures should be followed. Inspect the cat regularly for bald spots and other symptoms characteristic of shingles. Do not let the animal outdoors. Carry out vaccinations, provide a nutritious diet. Do not forget to wash your hands after each interaction with the tail. If the cat is sick, it is necessary to isolate it from others and carry out treatment. It is also necessary to disinfect all surfaces, bowls and beds fluffy.

Is it possible to contract rabies from a cat?

Rabies is a deadly disease of a viral nature. It affects all mammals, including humans. Infection with rabies from a cat is possible by biting the animal, through wounds on the skin or mucous membranes. As for the pet, he can catch this pathology from rodents, which are carriers of rabies.

Neurotropic virus affects the nervous system, which is manifested by symptoms such as these:

• Movement disorder.
• Aggressiveness.
• Spasms of the pharyngeal muscles.
• Paralysis of the limb muscles.
• Increased salivation.
• Respiratory muscle paralysis.
• Photophobia.
• Death of the infected.

The only method of preventing infection from a cat is to vaccinate the animal. If infection does occur, you should seek medical attention immediately. Within 72 hours after the bite, an injection with an antirabic serum should be given.

What parasites can be contracted from cats?

All diseases that can be contracted from a cat are categorized into several groups:

• Infectious.
• Parasitic.
• Viral.
• Bacterial.
• Fungal.

The most common include parasitic. Most often pets transmit helminths to their hosts, infection with salmonellosis, scabies, ringworm and other parasites is possible.

The source of disease is more often animals that have free access to the street and come into contact with other street animals. But domestic cats can also infect humans. Vaccination of the animal and regular deworming, can minimize the risk of getting sick from a tail friend.

Can I get toxoplasmosis from a cat?

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii. This pathology is common among humans and animals. Infection with the parasite occurs from pets, usually cats. Sources of the disease can also be other animals, which act as intermediate hosts for infection. Toxoplasmosis is especially dangerous for pregnant women, so they are advised to avoid contact with pets.

The structure of toxoplasma allows it to survive in any environment. The process of infecting a cat:

• The animal drinks or eats the infected product.
• The parasite enters the intestine and actively reproduces within 3-24 days.
• Within 1-3 weeks, toxoplasma is excreted with cat feces into the environment.
• Oocysts of the parasite mature within 1-8 days, after which fecal/soil particles with mature spores enter a new host or food, repeating their life cycle.

On this basis, toxoplasmosis can be contracted not only from a cat, but also by eating raw meat or milk, blood transfusion or organ transplantation.

Not only wild cats, but also domestic cats that have never been outdoors and have never eaten other animals can get sick with toxoplasmosis. To do this, it is enough to feed the pet with raw infected meat, clean her feces less than once a day and actively touch the feces with your hands. Of course, a healthy, sane person will not do this, so compliance with simple hygiene rules when caring for a four-legged friend is enough to protect yourself from toxoplasma.

If infection occurs, the incubation period lasts 2-3 weeks and more than 90% of people produce antibodies during this time. Most often people are asymptomatic, but during the acute period the following signs may occur:

• General weakness and malaise.
• Headache.
• Weakness in the muscles and joints.
• Elevated body temperature.
• Enlargement of lymph nodes (cervical, occipital, inguinal, axillary).

In this case, the patient requires emergency medical care. Without timely treatment, there is a risk of neuritis of the visual organs, myocarditis, and liver enlargement of the spleen is also possible. Treatment is prolonged, with the reception of antibiotics and chemopreparations, since parasitic cysts are quite resistant to drug therapy.

The danger is posed by street cats and animals that freely visit the street. In this case, it is very easy to get infected. The animal actively disposes of the need, leaving feces with spores of the parasite in the soil, which under favorable conditions can persist for up to 1.5 years. The risk group includes people working in the garden, relaxing in the fresh air on the ground, eating untreated raw fruits and berries.

To avoid contracting toxoplasmosis from a cat or any other way, you need to follow these rules:

• Do not feed the animal raw meat, do not allow to catch and eat birds, rodents.
• Do not walk your cat outside.
• Wash your cat's litter box regularly, and do so with gloves.
• Do not have kittens or take home street cats while you are planning a pregnancy or carrying them to term.
• Wash hands and utensils thoroughly after cutting raw meat.
• Always wash vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
• Do not walk without shoes on the ground, beach.

According to medical statistics, humans are more often infected with the parasite not from a cat, but by eating raw meat. Every year, toxoplasma mutates, which allows it to reproduce without the participation of the feline organism. This makes infection of the animal less likely, but the danger to humans remains high.

Can I get chlamydia from a cat?

Chlamydia is an infectious disease caused by microorganisms of the genus Chlamydia. To date, 4 types of this infection are known:

• C. Psittaci.
• C. Trachomatis.
• C.pneumonaiae.
• C. Pecorum.

Chlamydia in cats is caused by C. Psittaci, to which humans are less susceptible. Infection of animals occurs predominantly sexually. In caudates, the urinary tract is the most vulnerable part of the body to various pathogens. Feline chlamydia affects the mucous membrane of the eyes, which is manifested by conjunctivitis, rhinitis, bronchitis and other pathologies in the animal.

Transmission from pet to human is possible by airborne droplets, but does not threaten the latter. The cells of the human body are not well suited for the introduction and reproduction of C. Psittaci. In relation to feline chlamydia, human immunity produces specific antibodies, so the likelihood of contracting chlamydia from a cat is extremely low. To prevent the development of chlamydia in cats, vaccination is performed.

Is it possible to get ticks from a cat?

Another parasite that cat owners are afraid of catching is the mite. In animals, mites can be ear mites and subcutaneous mites. The danger of these parasites is that they can be carriers of a dangerous disease - piroplasmosis.

• The subcutaneous mite (demodex) parasitizes the animal's epidermis and causes a disease called demodecosis. A cat can pick it up in the grass, water, soil or from other ponytails. Causes severe itching at the site of the lesion, the condition of the wool worsens, peeling appears on the skin. In the future, pustules are formed, which, due to constant scratching, turn into bleeding wounds. Treatment is long, but with a favorable prognosis.
• The ear mite is another type of feline parasite. Infestation most often occurs from animal to animal. A warm and moist environment is ideal for the reproduction of the parasite, which includes the inside of the ear. After infection, an inflammatory process and irritation occurs in the ear canal. This is manifested by copious wax production and otodectosis (ear scabies).

Both types of mites are not transmitted from cats to humans. The above-described pathologies are found only in animals and infection occurs only among them. But it is better to work with an infected pet wearing gloves.

Can you get scabies from a cat?

Scabies can be transmitted from cat to human, but this is not to say that the host will be infected with their pet's scabies mite. Much depends on the type of mite the cat has.

Notoedrosis is a feline disease caused by the scabies mite Notoedres cati. The parasite lives in the lower layers of the pet's skin, actively moving, feeding on lymph and skin particles. Most often affects the tissues in the area of the neck and head. This disease is common among animals. Kittens and young, untreated cats are at risk.

Scabies dermatosis (pseudo scabies) occurs in humans due to a mite picked up from a caudal. The presence of the parasite is manifested by a rash that looks like mosquito bites and itching. But once on the human skin, the parasite can not settle on it, so it dies within 1-2 days. That is, mites parasitizing cats are not adapted to survive on the human body.

Can I get an infection from a cat scratch?

One of the threats that cats pose is the risk of contracting cat scratch disease. This pathology refers to an infectious disease. It occurs after a bite or scratch from an animal. It occurs with the formation of a suppurative papule followed by regional lymphadenitis.

Cat scratch disease was first described in 1931, and its causative agent, Bartonellahenselae, was identified in 1992. This microorganism was isolated from cat blood. Infection of the animal occurs from fleas. Transmission of the bacterium from the pet to a person occurs through close contact. To do this, it is enough for the cat to lick the damaged tissues of the host, scratch or bite. But the disease is not transmitted from person to person.

The pathology has typical and atypical forms. The first one makes itself known 3-10 days after a scratch/bite and is manifested by the following symptoms:

• A painful bump appears at the site of the injury, a papule forms in its place, which is replaced by a crust or ulcer.
• After a couple days to a month, inflammation develops in the lymph node closest to the lesion.
• An inflamed lymph node resolves very slowly and may become suppurative. In the latter case, it is opened.
• Body temperature rises, headaches and increased sweating occur.
• After 7-10 days, the painful symptoms recede, but after 5-6 months, the pathology recurs.

The atypical variant of cat scratch disease runs in one of these forms:

• Parinaud's syndrome (enlargement of parotid and submandibular lymph nodes, febrile condition, unilateral conjunctivitis).
• Inflammation of bone tissue.
• Brain damage.
• Neuroretinitis (sudden deterioration of vision in one eye).

Diagnosis of a painful condition is handled by an infectious disease doctor. The doctor carefully studies the anamnesis and the results of laboratory tests. To confirm the pathology, a skin test with the antigen of the pathogen is performed. A lymph node biopsy with PCR is mandatory.

Antibacterial drugs are used for treatment. But in most cases, the disease goes away on its own after a couple of months. Methods of preventing infection from cat scratches have not been developed. Doctors recommend disinfecting any lesions from ponytails.

Can I get hepatitis from a cat?

The concept of hepatitis implies inflammatory processes in the liver tissue. Hepatitis in cats has nonspecific symptomatology and several types:

• Infectious is a complication of viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Unvaccinated animals, young and elderly pets are at risk.

• Toxic - occurs due to poisoning of the liver by various poisons (poor quality feed, chemicals, medications). In most cases, this form of the disease is curable. But if the poisoning of the body occurred for many years, but it is impossible to restore the functions of the organ. One of the causes of toxic hepatitis in cats is worm infestations, more precisely intoxication with the products of helminth metabolism.

Symptoms of liver inflammation are manifested by increased weakness and lethargy of the animal, vomiting, lack of appetite. A person can not get infected with hepatitis from a cat. This is due to different causes and peculiarities of the course of the disease. At the same time, the disease is not transmitted from cat to cat. But if the pathology has an infectious nature, then the risk of infection of a healthy pet exists.

Can I get giardia from a cat?

Lamblia is a unicellular organism, the most common parasite of different species of animals and humans. There are several species of giardia, the disease in humans is caused by Lamblia intestinalis, in cats by Giardia cati. On this basis, there is no possibility of contracting Giardia from a cat.

Infection with the animal parasite occurs by the fecal-oral route:

• The pet ingests the cysts of the parasite, which actively multiply in its intestines.
• Lamblia tightly adhere to the walls of the intestine, violate its secretory and motor functions, irritate the epithelial layer, interfere with the absorption of useful substances.
• The body begins to internalize the products of its vital activity, and parasites start toxic-allergic processes.

Symptoms of giardiasis depend on the number of parasites, so most often manifested by intestinal disorders and general weakness of the tail. At the same time, the cat's appetite does not change, and it does not lose weight.

Stool analysis, enzyme immunoassay, immunochromatographic test are used for diagnosis. For treatment, antiparasitic and antibacterial agents, probiotics are used.

Can I get rabies from a cat scratch?

Rabies is caused by a virus found in the saliva of a sick animal. But blood, feces, and urine are not contagious. The pathogens die outside the body of the animal or person. Sunlight and disinfectants completely destroy the rabies virus.

On this basis, it is not possible to contract rabies from a cat scratch. Even though the cat licks its claws, the saliva that remains under them will not be enough to provoke infection. Infection occurs from bites from a sick animal and from saliva on scratches, abrasions, wounds and other damaged human skin.

Can I get chlamydia from a cat?

As a rule, under chlamydia is meant a sexually transmitted disease. But chlamydia affects not only humans, but also animals. Feline chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydophila felis. The pathogens live on the mucous membranes of the genitals, digestive and respiratory system of pets.

Chlamydia in cats occurs at different ages, but it is most severe in kittens up to six months old. In adults, the disease causes inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes, oral cavity, nose. Often the infection manifests itself in the cat with eye disease, because of which the owner suspects conjunctivitis rather than chlamydia.

Chlamydia refers to zoonotic pathologies that can provoke ophthalmic infections in humans. Medicine knows few cases when feline chlamydia caused any diseases in humans. But if there are people with a weakened immune system or small children in the family, it is necessary to limit their communication with a sick animal until it recovers. To prevent chlamydia, pets are vaccinated.

Can you get cancer from a cat?

Cancer is a collective pathology that brings together more than a hundred different diseases. Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth of mutated cells that form a tumor. Another feature of oncology is the propensity to metastasize with the spread of malignant cells throughout the body. Both humans and animals face this problem.

Cancer is neither sexually nor airborne. It cannot be contracted through shared household items or from sick pets. But recent studies have found that cats may be an indirect cause of brain cancer in humans. The cancer may be caused by parasites living in the stomach of cats.

Scientists have analyzed the world statistics of malignant brain lesions and compared it with the spread of Toxoplasma gondii (a parasite living in the stomach of a cat). It was found that the highest incidence of cancer, in countries with a high prevalence of the parasite. The same study refers to the fact that parasites are present in the brain of every third person, but under the influence of certain factors they can trigger cancer processes.

Can I get staphylococcus aureus from a cat?

Staphylococcus aureus is a type of globular gram-positive bacteria. Scientists believe that many infectious diseases are caused by these microorganisms.

• There is no such thing as a feline staphylococcal infection. That is, the same type of microbe affects all mammals.
• As in animals, in the human body this bacteria lives from birth and makes itself known under certain circumstances. At the same time, the microbes are opportunistic.
• If a cat is diagnosed with non-pathogenic staphylococcus aureus, it may not manifest itself in any way throughout its life.
• The action of certain factors (stress, weakened immune system and others) activate the bacteria.

A person can become infected from a cat with staphylococcus aureus, as well as an animal from a person. In this case, we are talking about a methicillin-resistant species that localizes on the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and skin. The bacterium develops in a weakened body, most often against the background of inflammatory processes and other diseases. Infants and elderly people are most susceptible to infection from animals.

In order to protect yourself from infection, you should monitor your own health and the well-being of your pet. Vaccinate your pet, strengthen the immune system and adhere to basic rules of hygiene after communicating with your furry. Also, do not forget about disinfecting household items and regular cleaning.

Can I get lice from a cat?

Lice are species-specific ectoparasites, i.e. Human lice live only on people, cat lice on cats and dog lice on dogs. That said, animals cannot infect humans, nor can human pets. On this basis, cat lice are absolutely safe for humans.

Cats are infested with virosoides, which feed on bits of skin and hair. These parasites are not dangerous for hairless cats. If the animal has scratches or wounds, the lice can drink blood from them. Often vlasoedes appear in individuals on which fleas are parasitized. For many owners, this complicates diagnosis, as lice are sedentary and have a light color, unlike fleas.

Cat lice do not survive in the environment, so they can only be infected by direct contact with a carrier. The source of the parasites can be grooming tools if you take your pet for a haircut. A sick pet is itchy and very restless. Due to severe itching, redness, crusts, cracks appear on the cat's body. Antiparasitic drugs are used for treatment.

Is it possible to get ear mites from a cat?

One of the parasites that cats often encounter is the ear mite. It causes the disease otodectosis, which affects only animals. That is, it is impossible to infect a person from a cat with an ear mite. As for the animal, the infection occurs by contact.

The mite is a small parasite that breeds in warm and moist environments. The inside of the feline ear canal is ideal for it. In the focus of the lesion, an acute inflammatory process and irritation develops. This leads to increased secretion of earwax and ear itching. Most often, the mite affects both ears at the same time, causing severe pain in the pet.

To the main signs of otodectosis in tails can be attributed restless behavior of the animal. The cat often scratches its ears with its paws and shakes its head, tilts its head to the side, meows. Due to the progression of the disease, a purulent mass accumulates in the auricle, and crusts of dark color are formed around the ear. Without timely diagnosis and treatment, the pathological process affects the inner and middle ear, brain membranes. This leads to premature death of the pet.

Can I get opisthorchiasis from a cat?

Opisthorchiasis is a serious disease that affects both animals and humans. The causative agent of this pathology is a parasitic worm - cat biceps. The main cause of infection is the consumption of raw fish (carp family) and other infected food. The helminth gets into the gallbladder and its ducts, where it lays eggs.

Animals become infected by eating raw fish in which the parasites live. A person can get opisthorchiasis from a cat. The only variant of infection is if the eggs of feline bivalve end up on the pet's fur, then get on the hands of a person. It is unwashed hands that can bring the helminth into the mouth. In this case, an already infected person can not transmit the disease to other people or animals. That is, opisthorchiasis is not transmitted by airborne or household transmission.

The danger of the disease is that it causes serious damage to the body. Pathology can occur in acute and chronic form. In the first case, an allergic rash, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, liver enlargement appear on the body. Without timely treatment, there is a risk of developing pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver and other serious complications.

Can I get demodecosis from a cat?

Demodecosis is a disease caused by the demodex mite. Most often this pathology is detected in dogs, but cats are also sick. There are several species of parasites, but the disease in humans causes some, and in animals parasitize others. That is, it is impossible to get infected with demodex from a cat.

Demodecosis in cats is caused by the mites Demodex cati and Demodex gatoi. The former live in the hair follicles and the latter in the outer layer of the skin. The disease can occur in localized and generalized forms. The first variant is most common, when the mite provokes hair loss in the pet, the appearance of scales on the head, skin of the eyelids, ears, neck.

Antiparasitic therapy is performed to treat the sick animal. All procedures are performed by a veterinarian. It should be taken into account that demodex is very contagious, if there are several cats in the house, all of them should be treated.

Can I get a hypodermic mite from a cat?

The subcutaneous mite is a parasitic disease affecting the hair and skin. Its causative agent is the demodex mite. Both animals and humans are affected. But each species affects a certain type of subcutaneous parasite. Therefore, a cat can not infect a person with a subcutaneous mite, nor can a person infect her.

Symptoms of the disease in animals are manifested by deterioration of their fur, reddening of the skin, rashes in the form of nodules and pustules. With the progression of the mite in tails, the skin of the head, neck and ears begins to peel. Because of the strong itching on the body, bleeding wounds are formed. Treatment is prolonged with the use of antiparasitic drugs.

Is it possible to get hiv through a cat?

HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus. It affects the immune system, and especially the cells that are responsible for defense against infectious agents. HIV infection in cats is much less common than in humans. According to medical statistics, about 3-5% of quadrupeds have immunodeficiency.

Feline immunodeficiency has a long latent course, so infected animals can live a long time without obvious signs of the disease. The spread of HIV among cats occurs sexually, through saliva and blood. The animal can become infected from wounds and bites of relatives or in the process of mating, when the cat bites the withers. At the same time, pets that do not go outdoors do not risk getting sick.

Feline immunodeficiency pathogens are fully adapted to the host organism. Therefore, a cat cannot infect a human with HIV, just as a human cannot transmit AIDS to a cat. That is, there is no cat-human cross-infection. HIV transmission through the bites of blood-sucking insects has also not been proven.

Can I get conjunctivitis from a cat?

Conjunctivitis is a group of inflammatory diseases of the conjunctiva of the eye. Both humans and animals are faced with this problem. The disease has several types, but most often it is classified by the nature of its origin:

• Viral - occurs in 85% of cases. It is caused by various viruses, e.g. Adenovirus, enterovirus, herpes.
• Bacterial - infection can be provoked by bacteria that are transmitted not only by household means, but also by air. Most often these are staphylococci or streptococci.
• Allergic conjunctivitis is the result of the body's individual immune response to a specific allergen. This type of conjunctivitis is not contagious and is not transmitted to others.

Conjunctival inflammation in animals has the same causes as in humans. Based on this, a person can get conjunctivitis from a cat. If the pet is sick, then if the rules of hygiene are violated and too close communication with the cat, it is possible to get the same disease.

Can I get pinworms from a cat?

Pinworms are worms from the detachment of roundworms. Unlike other species of helminths, the sexually mature individuals of this species are small in size. They are found in both humans and animals. In cats, they are diagnosed very rarely, since their immune system effectively destroys such parasites.

Pets are infected when they are fed infected food, e.g. Fresh meat, fish, milk. Pinworm eggs can be carried from the street on clothing, thereby infecting a domestic cat. In turn, the infected animal becomes contagious to the owner.

Can I get the flu from a cat?

Like any living organism, cats get colds. In tailed cats, this disease manifests itself in a different way than in humans. The most common pathology, similar in its symptomatology to the human flu and cold is rhinotracheitis in cats. Infection of the tail is possible when communicating with other animals or by contact with infected objects.

Although a cat has a cold, it is only capable of catching a "cat" infection. There is no cross-infection between cats and humans. That is, a cat cannot cause a person to develop the flu.

But recently, more and more atypical strains of influenza virus have begun to appear, which are dangerous for both humans and animals. In this case, there is a theoretical risk of transmission from one species to another.

Can tuberculosis be contracted from a cat?

The main causative agent of tuberculosis in cats is Mycobacterium bovis. The pet is infected by contact with sick animals or their excretions, consumption of contaminated cow's milk.

On this basis, tailed cats do not often get tuberculosis. Also according to research, tuberculosis in cats is not always the primary infection. In some cases, it occurs as an opportunistic, i.e. Secondary disease.

All mycobacteria that cause tuberculosis are potentially harmful to humans and other mammals. But the risk of contracting TB from a cat to a human is minimal. In any case, if there is a sick animal in the house, you should strictly follow the rules of hygiene to protect yourself.

Is it possible to get fungus from a cat?

Cats are increasingly becoming carriers of skin fungal infections, which are dangerous for both the animal and humans. Infection of the latter occurs by contact. It is enough to stroke an infected tail and fungal spores remain on your hands.

More than 100 thousand cases of fungal infections transmitted from four-legged pets are registered annually in the world. The most common fungal disease in cat owners is lichen planus. Most often infection occurs in the summer season, which is the most favorable for microsporia.

Can I get giardiasis from a cat?

Lambliosis is an intestinal protozoan infection. The pathogen is dangerous for almost all living organisms. Most often Giardia is detected in kittens and young cats. The parasite settles in the lumen of the small intestine of the host and fixes on its villi. The incubation period is 3-10 days. Actively multiplies, creating increased concentrations in the duodenum.

Transmission of giardiasis occurs by direct contact or alimentary, that is, through contaminated food and water. Lamblia are stable in the external environment, they are not affected by ultraviolet light, so they remain dangerous to animals and people for a long time. If parasitic cysts get into conditions with high humidity, this leads to their active reproduction, increasing the risk of infection of surrounding organisms.

Giardiasis can potentially be transmitted from cats to humans. Therefore, if your pet is diagnosed with Giardia, it is necessary to disinfect its environment and household items thoroughly (the parasite is resistant to chlorine-containing agents), and follow the rules of hygiene.

Can I get infected from a cat bite?

Cats have sharp and thin teeth, so the wounds from them are very deep and closed. There are many pathogens in the mouth and saliva of the animal. When bitten, they penetrate deep into the skin and in 50% of cases cause serious infections.

Most often the bites are on the hands. The affected tissues may become swollen, red and even fester. In particularly severe cases, cat bites can cause sepsis, i.e. Blood poisoning and rabies.

Pasteurella multocida, the causative agent of pasteurellosis, is widespread among pintails. The peculiarity of this bacterium is that it can interact with streptococcal and staphylococcal pathogens, causing various pathologies. In order to reduce the risk of infection after a cat bite, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will treat and disinfect the wounds, prescribe drugs to reduce the risk of infection.

Is it possible to contract mouse fever from a cat?

Mouse or hemorrhagic fever is an acute viral natural focal disease. It is characterized by febrile condition, general body intoxication and kidney damage. The main vectors of the disease are field mice, moles, gophers. The source of infection is urine and feces of rodents. Cats become infected while hunting rodents.

Theoretically, transmission from pintails to humans is also possible. Therefore, if your pet is sick, keep it away from other animals and people until it is fully recovered. You should also treat the pet's household items and follow the rules of hygiene. More often infection in humans occurs by airborne or alimentary route. The disease is not transmitted from person to person.

One of the features of murine fever is that it runs in several stages:

• Incubation - lasts from 7 to 46 days and causes no symptoms.
• Initial - its duration is from 1 to 3 days. It begins with a sharp rise in temperature over 40 ° C, chills, general weakness and symptoms of intoxication.
• Oliguric - its duration is 4-7 days. During this period, acute renal failure develops, there is pain in the abdomen and back, swelling of the face. The patient suffers from repeated vomiting, bleeding skin rashes.

The average duration of the disease is about 11 days. If treatment is not initiated during this period, murine fever is fatal to the host. Treatment is carried out in an infectious disease hospital. But even with timely therapy, there is a high risk of complications: kidney rupture, azotemic uremia, acute vascular insufficiency, pulmonary edema, eclampsia, focal pneumonia. Prevention is reduced to protection from rodents when vacationing in nature. It is also necessary to protect pets from hunting mice.

Can I get mycoplasmosis from a cat?

Mycoplasmosis is an infectious disease of cats. It is caused by the Mycoplasma bacterium. In most cases, a sick animal does not pose a danger to a healthy person. But if the owner has a weakened immune system, the pet can infect him with mycoplasmosis.

Signs of pathology:

• Feverish condition.
• Cough.
• Swelling of the extremities.
• Sneezing, runny nose.
• Diarrhea.
• Painful sensations in the area of the ribs.

Mycoplasmosis affects the upper and lower respiratory tract, urogenital system, liver, and joints. Without timely diagnosis and proper treatment, the disease can cause death for both cats and humans.

Can I get fleas from a cat?

There are several species of fleas that parasitize humans and animals. Humans can become infested with Pulex irritans, but are most often bitten by Ctenocephalus telis (cat fleas). Besides cats and humans, feline parasites bite any other warm-blooded animal. A cat can get fleas from a dog, which are also dangerous for humans.

The parasites live in basements and old houses, crevices. Their main danger is that they can transmit serious diseases:

• Dermatitis.
• Salmonellosis.
• Typhoid.
• Encephalitis.
• Mycobacterium.
• Brucellae.
• Puliosis.

The legs below the knees are the most affected by flea bites. If a flea-infested cat sleeps on your bed, the parasites will settle in the bed and bite the entire body. The bites look like pink-red bumps on the body. The bites are painful and cause severe itching and allergic reactions. The parasites' saliva contains an enzyme that can cause severe swelling and inflammation of the lymph nodes.

Can toxocarosis be contracted from a cat?

Migrating larvae of ascarids (Toxocaracanis, Toxocaramystax (cati), Toxocaravitulorum) cause a parasitic disease of the intestine of their host - toxocarosis. Pathology is characterized by a protracted course with frequent relapses.

A person becomes infected with toxocaras through dirty hands, contact with soil contaminated with feces, consumption of dirty fruits and vegetables. Another way of infection is the transmission of helminths from a cat. In this case, a sick person can not transmit toxocarosis to other people.

Signs of toxocarosis:

• Subfebrile body temperature.
• Hives.
• Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.
• Chills and runny nose.
• Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting.
• Stool disturbance.
• Enlargement of the liver, spleen.
• Cramps, muscle pain.

To diagnose pathology, the doctor collects anamnesis, asks about the presence of pets. Helminth eggs are detected with the help of fecal analysis. Obligatorily, patients are carried out an X-ray examination and a set of laboratory tests. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease state and the presence of complications. Patients are prescribed antiparasitic therapy with further symptomatic treatment.

Can I get cytomegalovirus from a cat?

Cytomegalovirus is a virus from the herpesvirus family. It causes cytomegalovirus infection, which affects both humans and animals. Most often the disease runs in a latent form, which complicates the process of its early diagnosis and treatment.

Cytomegalovirus affects immune cells, tissues of the digestive system and respiratory organs. The patient begins to have problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland and the brain. Another danger of the infection is that it can be contracted from a cat. The virus is worst carried by children and pregnant women, in the latter it can cause a miscarriage.

If the animal is diagnosed with this type of herpesvirus, then everyone who has been in contact with the pet is sent for a comprehensive diagnosis. With timely detection and proper treatment, the disease has a favorable prognosis.

Is it possible to get fungus from a cat?

Fungal diseases in cats are external (ringworm, stomatitis, ear fungus) and internal. The latter affect the organs of the animal. But some types of fungus have an asymptomatic course, which is dangerous not only for tailed cats, but also for their owners.

Depending on the fungal pathogen, infections are distinguished:

• Microsporia.
• Trichophytosis.
• Saprophytic infections (candidiasis, malasseziosis).

Pets that walk outdoors are more susceptible to fungal infections. Fungi multiply in grass, soil, parasitize on plant leaves, tree bark. In any case, dermatomycoses are also dangerous for a person who is in contact with a sick animal. People with immunodeficiencies and skin problems, as well as children, are most susceptible to fungal diseases.

At the first signs of illness, you should limit contact with the cat and, if possible, isolate it for the duration of treatment. Disinfection of household items and personal hygiene will prevent not only fungus but also other infections from the cat.