Diseases that can be acquired from animals are known as zoonotic diseases. An infection from a zoonotic agent can be due to a bacterium, fungus or virus. Many diseases that are caught from animals occur naturally. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 61 percent of human diseases are caused by zoonotic infections. Various types of pathogens can be caught from cats, with toxoplasmosis and cat scratch fever being the most common of these diseases.
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Toxoplasmosis
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Toxoplasmosis is the result of a parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii. According to the Mayo Clinic, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis is "the most common parasite in the world." Cats become infected with the parasite as a result of eating contaminated meat, such as raw meats, or soil that is infected with the parasite. In people who are healthy, symptoms may never develop. People with compromised immune systems, such as children or HIV/AIDS patients can develop symptoms. The disease can be caught through contact with contaminated feces, and this brings the recommendation that women, while pregnant, should never change cat litter.
Cat-Scratch Disease
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Cat-scratch disease is caused by being bitten or scratched by a cat who is infected with the bacteria Bartonella henselae. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kittens are more likely to infect people with the bacterium. Cats that harbor the disease never show any signs. You may never know of your cat's condition until it bites you, and you develop flu-like symptoms. It is important to seek medical attention if you begin to develop an infection at a bite wound, develop a fever, have a headache, have swollen lymph glands or have severe fatigue.
Ringworm
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A common misconception about ringworm, is that many people believe the infection to be caused by a worm. Ringworm is actually a condition caused by a cocktail of multiple fungi. Animals, especially kittens or puppies, can develop ringworm. As a result, through petting or playing with your pet, you can catch ringworm. Symptoms can include a raised, itchy, circle-like formation upon the skin.
Campylobacter Infection
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A Campylobacter infection is caused by either Campylobacter jejuni or Campylobacter coli bacteria. Cats who are infected with the bacterium may never exhibit symptoms. However, if you catch the bacterium from your cat, you can develop serious symptoms. The bacterium can result in severe watery diarrhea, which can be bloody; fever; abdominal cramping; nausea; and vomiting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a rare nervous-system disease, known as Guillain-Barre syndrome can occur after about two weeks from becoming infected. Contamination from the bacterium occurs through touching infected stool.
Hookworm Infection
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Hookworms are due to various types of parasites. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "puppies and kittens are more likely to be infected with hookworms." The parasites are passed through your pets' stools. The hookworms are hatched in the dirt or litter where your animal defecates. If you or your children come into contact with the area where the eggs have hatched, transfer of the parasite to you can occur. A hookworm infection can result in intestinal bleeding, inflammation and abdominal cramping.
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