Cats are pets that love to socialize with humans and get close to them. They are harmless to humans and do not pose a threat to their lives, but some stray cats living in the streets may carry many diseases inside them and transmit them to humans by interacting with them with their saliva or by rubbing their bodies. These cats are exposed to diseases due to an infection they contract from other animals such as dogs or due to their lack of cleanliness. Among the diseases that cats infect and are infectious to humans are rabies, ringworm, and toxoplasmosis.
It is necessary to know the symptoms of these diseases in detail, and when they are noticed in the cat, they must be avoided and removed immediately. If a person is exposed to such an infection, it must be treated quickly. Therefore, we have dedicated this comprehensive guide from teketrek، to knowing contagious cat diseases and the method, prevention, and treatment of them.
The most important infectious diseases of cats to humans
There are some infectious diseases that are transmitted from cats to humans and it is necessary to know these diseases in detail so that it is easy to prevent them, especially for those who have cats to raise, and these infectious diseases include the following:
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis, or what is known as toxoplasmosis, is a single-celled parasitic disease and a type of protozoa. It was discovered by the scientist Nicole in 1908. It is transmitted from animals, especially cats, to humans through direct exposure to cat feces, or by eating vegetables contaminated with cat feces without washing them adequately. This disease spreads quickly and is effective and is transmitted to the organs quickly and reproduces abundantly.
It poses a great danger if it infects a pregnant woman, as it is transmitted to the fetus and causes severe damage to it. If the fetus is infected with this disease, it leads to its birth with a small head. This disease is also very dangerous if it is transmitted in the first months of pregnancy, and it is transmitted to the placenta by 60% and in some cases leads to the death of the fetus, and may cause deformity to the fetus by 30%. This disease does not only infect humans, but also harms livestock, so meat must be cooked well.
To prevent this disease, you must not be exposed to cat feces and use gloves when throwing away the litter box. Vegetables and fruits must be washed well with water before eating them. Meat must be cooked well. Meat must also be placed in the refrigerator before cooking because this parasite dies with good cooling.
Ringworm
Ringworm is one of the most common diseases transmitted by cats and is known as ringworm. This disease affects different areas of the body such as the skin, hair, or nails. Its symptoms appear in the form of itching, redness, and a rash. When this disease affects the hair of the head or chin, it causes hair loss. When it affects the nails, it causes them to break and change color.
Rabies
It is one of the diseases transmitted by cats to humans. It is transmitted through direct exposure to cat saliva or through exposure to scratching or biting. It is a viral disease. Symptoms of the disease appear days after infection. It is recommended that when exposed to scratching or biting from cats or any other animal, take the vaccine immediately because if symptoms appear, there will be no treatment for them.
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Symptoms of diseases in humans and their prevention
There are several symptoms that appear in people infected with the three diseases we mentioned, and these symptoms can be mentioned as follows:
Symptoms of infection with toxoplasmosis
A person infected with this disease can fight it without showing any symptoms if the immune system is strong, and some simple symptoms may appear
which are similar to the symptoms of a common cold and the symptoms last for weeks and then disappear and the body forms antibodies against the parasite, but if the immune system is weak or if the person has AIDS, the infected person shows a high temperature, headache, nausea, and seizures.
If the infected mother is pregnant, it leads to the death of the fetus or the occurrence of major deformities for it, and it may lead to premature birth if the mother is infected in the first or middle months of pregnancy, but if the infection is in the last months before birth, it does not pose a risk to the fetus.
Symptoms of infection with shingles
The symptoms of this disease appear in humans when itching appears in different areas of the body such as the skin, hair, or nails, and after taking treatment and antibiotics, these symptoms gradually subside.
This disease can be prevented by avoiding touching infected cats, and making sure to put them in a designated place until they are cured, and not touching anything related to them except using gloves and continuous sterilization, as it is transmitted from one person to another, so the personal tools of the infected person should not be touched or used.
Symptoms of Rabies
Symptoms of rabies appear in humans a week or a month after infection, such as high temperature, runny mouth, and poor eyesight. These symptoms portend death because they mean that the person has the disease and is difficult to treat.
This disease can be prevented by avoiding scratching or biting from cats or touching their saliva. If this happens, the scratch site should be washed, then a doctor should be visited and the vaccine should be taken immediately.
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How to deal with infected cats
Cats are exposed to many diseases that are contagious to humans most of the time, so you must know how to deal with them so that they are not exposed to infection:
- When any disease is noticed in the cat, it should be isolated immediately in a designated place and kept away from any other animal.
- Gloves must be worn when touching food dishes and its litter box.
- Continuous sterilization of the place.
- Do not touch the cat directly with your hand, and do not touch its saliva or feces.
- Take the cat to the vet if you notice any symptoms of illness.
- You must visit the vet at least once a year to know the cat’s condition and take the required vaccine.
- Do not be exposed to scratches or bites from it.
Tips for maintaining the health of cats and the health of their owners
There are several tips that must be followed to maintain the health of the cat and the health of its owner and avoid it contracting any disease and transmitting it to humans. These tips include the following:
- Cats must be fed the required vaccine, and a veterinarian must be consulted at least once a year to ensure the cat’s health.
- Wash hands well before eating and after touching the cat.
- Be sure to wear gloves when cleaning the cat’s belongings.
- Clean the cat constantly and trim its nails.
- Inform children of the need to be careful not to scratch or bite the cat, and if they are exposed to this, the mother or father must be informed immediately.
- Continuously monitor the cat, and if symptoms of the disease are seen, the patient must be visited.
Finally, we hope that we have provided you with all the information about cat diseases that are contagious to humans, which pose a great danger to humans, and we must be careful of them and prevent these diseases before the problem worsens and becomes unsolvable. Please follow the required advice to avoid the transmission of infection from cats to adults and children, and the necessary measures must be taken when exposed to infection. Stay healthy.
