Children’s Infections – The Pet Connection

It seems every child longs for a pet. Whether it is a dog, cat, bird, hamster, lizard, or fish, having a pet teaches children wonderful life lessons. Through having a pet, a child can learn responsibility, affection, gentleness, and respect for other living beings. In return the pet makes a wonderful companion and gives the child a relationship filled with many hours of joy. Studies have also shown health benefits linked to owning a pet. However, the child may get something from the pet which isn't enjoyable - an infection.

Zoonosis is the name for infections which can be passed from animals to humans. Children, or anyone for that matter, can get zoonoses if they are scratched or bitten or come into contact with an animal's waste, saliva, or dander.

There are certain illnesses that pets get which cannot be transmitted to people, such as heartworms and feline leukemia. However, animals carry certain viruses, parasites, bacteria, and fungi that can be transmitted to people. Pets may also get ticks and fleas which can carry diseases that make humans sick.

Campylobacter infection is one type of infection transmitted to humans by dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, and certain farm animals. The campylobacter bacteria can live in the digestive system of the animals and can be transmitted to people who come into contact with contaminated feces or water.

This infection has some very unpleasant side effects such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever. The campylobacter infection is also contagious, meaning it can be passed from one person to another. This is especially true for members of the same household. The campylobacter infection is treated with antibiotics.

Toxocariasis illness is caused by toxocara worms that live in the intestines of cats and dogs. The eggs from the worms are passed to humans through the feces of the animals. Toxocariasis may also be contracted through soil which has been contaminated. People who do not wash their hands, especially young children and babies who frequently put things in their mouths, could accidentally eat the eggs. The eggs then hatch and develop in the digestive system.

Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, rash, cough or wheezing, or enlarged lymph nodes. Mild cases of toxocariasis may not require medical treatment, while more severe forms are treated with antiparasitic drugs.

Cat scratch disease is caused by bacteria called bartonella henselae. A person who is scratched or bitten by a cat (more often a kitten) which has been infected by the bacteria may develop symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.

Only 30% of people who are infected show any symptoms, and the symptoms usually disappear without medical treatment. In severe cases, antibiotics can be prescribed to clear up the infection. Cat scratch disease is not contagious.

Dipylidium caninum, or commonly known as tapeworms, can be carried by dogs with fleas. As they groom themselves, the dog swallows the fleas, which can carry tapeworm eggs. The tapeworm eggs grow into adult tapeworms once they are in an animal or person's system. People who have tapeworms may notice tapeworm pieces, which resemble grains of rice, in their waste. Prescription medications are needed to get rid of tapeworm infection.

Ringworm, also called tinea, is a skin infection caused by fungi found on the skin of pets and humans and in the soil. Children can get ringworm by touching animals such as dogs and cats that are infected.

Ringworm is a dry, scaly round area with a raised red bumpy border and clear center. It is treated with antifungal medications; cream, shampoo, or oral medicine.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is carried by ticks that are infected by the Rickettsia bacteria. They attach themselves to animal skin, especially dogs. The symptoms for RMSF can include:

• High fever
• Chills
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Rash that may spread across the wrists, ankles, palms, soles, and trunk of the body

This infection is not contagious and can be treated with antibiotics.

Rabies is a severe illness caused by a virus. It is carried in the saliva of an infected animal and can be passed to humans through a bite. Rabies can cause brain damage and death.

Animals most likely to carry the rabies virus include bats, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, wolves, and foxes. Pets like dogs and cats usually only get rabies if bitten by an infected wild animal. Your dogs and cats should always be vaccinated against rabies to decrease the possibility of infection.

Bites from dogs and cats may become infected and lead to more serious problems. Cat bites tend to be worse since they are usually deeper puncture wounds. Bite wounds often require a doctor's visit or a trip to the emergency room. Antibiotics are generally used to treat the infection.

There are precautions you can take which will help to protect your child against infection.

• Have your dog or cat vaccinated.
• Control flea and tick problems. Oral and topical medications are best, avoid using flea collars. The chemicals on them could make your child sick.
• When outdoors, keep your pet on a leash. Avoid getting near other animals, especially if they look sick, and they may be unvaccinated.
• Spay or neuter your pet, which may reduce the contact your pet has with other animals that may be infected.
• Watch your child around pets. Do not allow them to kiss their pet or share food with them. Infections can be passed through saliva.
• Stress the importance of hand washing after handling an animal.

Pets can enrich your child's life. Keeping your pet healthy could mean keeping your child healthy as well.