Sicknesses That Dogs Can Give to Humans

Dogs are the most popular domesticated animals in the United States. Their bonding ability, gentleness and loyalty make them ideal pets for young and old alike. However, dogs, like all animals, do carry a set of disease and infections that can potentially infect the owners and other people around the dog. These infections can cause sickness and even fatal consequences if medical help is not provided.

  1. Rabies

    • Rabies is a serious viral disease that causes severe inflammation within the central nervous system, particularly in the brain. The main mode of transmission of rabies is through the salvia of an infected dog. If a dog has rabies and bites a person, the open wound and the dog salvia present as a result of the bite will allow the virus to enter the body. People that get infected with the rabies virus only survive up to 3 days if the virus goes untreated. The patient will first appear to have a headache and loss of appetite and the mood of the person will change from excitement to depression very quickly.

    Dog Heartworms

    • Dog heartworms are a type of parasite that is spread through contact with other dogs. Humans can get the parasite by mosquitoes or if they come in contact with an infected dog's blood. For example, if a mosquito feeds on an infected dog and then goes on to the feed on the human, it can potentially carry the heartworm with it as it feeds on the human -- the heart worm can enter the human's body. Once inside the human body, the heartworm will travel to the respiratory system and inhabit the person's lungs. Upon habitation, the person will experience a slight cough and might have slight breathing troubles.

    Cryptosporidium

    • Cryptosporidium is another parasitic infection that is transmitted orally or through fecal matter. It causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. Coming in contact with the dog's fecal matter can cause infection. Usually the symptoms and the infection go away within three months; however, people with compromised immune systems require medical attention.

    Twisted Bacteria

    • Scientifically known as campylobacteriosis, twisted bacteria is a disease caused by the bacteria campylobacter jejuni. Dogs carry these bacteria in their gut and small intestine. Symptoms of infection include abdominal cramping and pain, fever and diarrhea. Dogs get this infection by handling or ingesting chicken that was infected by the bacteria. Once the dog becomes infected, the symptoms are likely to appear one to two weeks after. Humans can get infected by handling dog fecal matter. The problem with this infection is that most of the time, people do not show any symptoms of the infection. As a result, they are less likely to seek medical attention, which will worsen the condition.