Can My Pet Bird Make Me Or My Kids Sick?

Yes, your pet bird can potentially get you or yourcan be treated with ampicillin, gentamicin,
child sick. Infectious diseases that can betrimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, or ciprofloxacin.
transmitted between humans and animals are*Chlamydia psittaci, often referred to as parrot
called zoonotic. Unfortunately, birds can carry atfever or avian chlamydiosis (AC), is an important
lease five different serious illnesses. Not all birdscause of systemic illness in birds kept as pets and
carry disease but the potential is there so youin poultry. This disease has been isolated in 129
must be cautious, especially with very youngbird species, and parakeets, parrots, macaws,
children, very old people and immune systemcockatiels, pigeons, doves, and mynah birds are
compromised people. Immune compromisedthe most likely carriers. Birds may carry this
people would include organ transplant recipients,disease for years without showing signs of it.
people in chemotherapy and HIV infected people.Birds that show the disease may have a
If you think that you or your child has beenrespiratory infection, eye discharge, lethargy and
exposed to or is suffering from any bird disease,diarrhea. Human infection with C. psittaci usually
your smart move is to consult your physicianoccurs through the inhalation of aerosolized
who can help pinpoint the cause and prescribecontaminated bird urine, respiratory secretions, or
proper treatment. This article is for your additionaldried feces of infected birds. Other sources of
information only. I feel that it is always smart toexposure can include bird bites, mouth-to-beak
do your homework before you consult yourcontact, and handling the plumage and tissues of
physician. The more help you can offer yourinfected birds. Treatment includes Tetracyclines
physician on his diagnosis of a problem the better.are the drugs of choice for treating psittacosis in
First, to help avoid exposure to potential disease,humans
cleanliness counts. To best protect yourself from*Avian Tuberculosis can affect all species of birds.
getting sick, thoroughly wash your hands withThe signs of Avian TB in birds are diarrhea, dull
running water and soap after contact with birdsplumage, lethargy and gradual wasting away, even
or their droppings.if the birds appetite is good. Avian TB can be
Some people use rubber gloves and a mask whentransmitted to humans via ingestion or inhalation
cleaning birdcages and habitats. Disinfect the sinkof contaminated feces. The contaminated feces
after you wash bird toys, perches and foodcan persist in the environment for many years.
bowls. Do not share bites of food with your petWhen cleaning a potentially sick bird, it is best to
bird, if you might be swapping saliva. Commonwear rubber gloves, goggles and a face mask.
sense goes a long way in helping to avoidAlways wash arms up to elbows with antiseptic
exposure.soap even after wearing gloves. People are
The five diseases that can be carried by birds aregenerally very resistant to these infections.
Salmonella, Chlamydia psittaci , Avian Tuberculosis,*HistoPlasmosis is a fungus that can be found in
HistoPlasmosis and Cryptoccus. I will explain eachearth rich with bird droppings. Transmission to
disease.human can occur when they breathe in dust
*Salmonella is a bacterial disease associated withloaded with the fungus. This disease can cause a
many birds, especially chickens, baby chicks, andshort term lung infection. This infection generally
ducklings. Salmonella live in the intestinal tracts ofclears up by itself as long as the infected person
some birds, humans and other animals. Salmonellahas normal immune responses. Fungus killing
can be found in the feces of some pets, andmedicines may be used if the infection is stubborn.
people can become infected if they do not wash* Cryptococcus is found in the droppings of wild
their hands after contact with these feces. Therebirds (such as pigeons). When dried bird droppings
are approximately 40,000 human cases ofare stirred up, this can make dust containing
salmonellosis per year in the United States (not allCryptococcus go into the air and be breathed by
contracted from birds) and about 600 of thosepeople. Pets, such as dogs and cats, can also get
infected die. Salmonella causes vomiting andsick with cryptococcosis from this dust, but
diarrhea and sometimes fever. Salmonellapeople do not get cryptococcosis from dogs and
infections usually resolve in 5-7 days and often docats. Most people do not get sick with
not require treatment unless the patient becomescryptococcosis, but some people, especially those
severely dehydrated or the infection spreadsimmune compromised with HIV infection are at
from the intestines. Persons with severe diarrheadanger. For these people, cryptococcosis can
may require rehydration, often with intravenouscause serious symptoms of brain and spinal cord
fluids. Antibiotics are not usually necessary unlessdisease, such as headaches, dizziness, sleepiness,
the infection spreads from the intestines, then itand confusion.