Can You Get Sick from Your Pets? | Part III

LCMV ¹

Pet owners with hamsters, mice (including feeder mice for snakes), and guinea pigs should be aware of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), which spreads through contact with infected rodents or their urine, saliva, droppings, or nesting material.

While many people don’t get sick, symptoms can range from mild flu-like illness to serious neurological issues. In rare cases, it may cause lasting nerve damage or birth defects if contracted during pregnancy. Infection risk increases with exposure to wild rodents or infected pet rodents.

Rat-Bite Fever ²

Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a rare but serious disease that can be spread through contact with pet rodents like rats, mice, gerbils, and guinea pigs. RBF can spread to people through scratches, bites, or contact with a rodent’s saliva or urine. It can also spread by having contact with contaminated materials (rat bedding, cages, etc.), kissing pet rats, or through contaminated food or drinks.

Symptoms include fever, vomiting, rash, and joint pain. If untreated, RBF can lead to complications like organ infections (heart, brain, liver, kidneys), abscesses, or even death. Prompt medical attention is required.

Brucellosis ³

If you have backyard animals, you should know about a disease called brucellosis. It can make people sick if they touch fluids from infected animals or eat or drink things made from them, like raw milk, cheese, or undercooked meat. You can also get brucellosis if the animal’s blood or fluid gets into your eyes, nose, or mouth. People who help animals give birth, clean up after them, or give them shots are more at risk.

Brucellosis can cause fever, tiredness, muscle and joint pain, headaches, and loss of appetite. Some people get sicker over time, with problems like arthritis, heart infection, or memory loss.

Q Fever ⁴

Q fever is caused by bacteria that can spread from animals like goats, sheep, and cows. These bacteria can be found in the animal’s urine, feces, milk, and birth fluids. People can get sick by breathing in dust from places where these animals live or give birth. About half of people who catch Q fever get sick 2 to 3 weeks later.

They might get a fever, chills, feel very tired, have muscle pain, headache, chest pain, upset stomach, or cough. Some people get very sick, with problems in their lungs or liver. If a pregnant woman gets Q fever, it can cause miscarriage or early birth. A few people can get a more serious form called chronic Q fever, which happens months or years later. It can infect the heart valves and cause night sweats, shortness of breath, weight loss, or swelling.

Avian Influenza ⁵

Bird flu (also called avian influenza) is a sickness that mostly affects birds, but in rare cases, it can make people sick too. People can catch bird flu if they touch bird feces, feathers, eggs, or dirty cages, or breathe in dust or air that has the virus. This can happen if you have chickens, ducks, or turkeys, especially if they are sick.

Bird flu in people can feel like a cold or the flu. Symptoms include cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, body aches, or feeling very tired. Some people may have red eyes or feel short of breath. Complications of bird flu can include pneumonia, difficulty breathing, organ failure, and even death.

To stay safe, wash your hands after touching birds, their eggs, or their cages, and clean up after them safely. Avoid touching sick or dead birds. For more information, see our article on bird flu.