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Infections That Pets Carry

Caring for pets offers a tremendous learning experience for children. Like adults, children can benefit from the companionship, affection, and relationships they share with their pets. But it's not uncommon for animals and pets to transmit infections to humans, especially children. So if you're thinking about buying a pet, or you already have one, it's important to know how to protect your child.

Caring for animals and pets offers a tremendous learning experience for children - it can teach them responsibility, gentleness, and respect for nature and other living beings. Like adults, children can benefit from the companionship, affection, and relationships they share with their pets.

But it's not uncommon for animals and pets to transmit infections to humans, especially children. So if you're thinking about buying a pet, or you already have one, it's important for you to know how to protect your child from infections carried by pets and other animals.

How Do Pets Spread Infections?
Like people, all animals carry germs. Some illnesses that are common among house pets - such as distemper, canine parvovirus, and heartworms - can't be transmitted to humans. But pets also carry certain bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that can cause illness if they are transmitted to humans. Humans get these animal-borne diseases when they are bitten or scratched or have contact with an animal's waste, saliva, or dander.

These diseases can affect humans in a wide variety of ways. They are of greatest concern to young children, infants, and pregnant women who have immune systems that have been compromised by illness or disease. Immune systems of younger kids aren't as strong as those of older kids. So some infections that might make an adult just mildly sick can be more serious for kids.
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