5 Diseases from cats that can be transmitted to your child

Of course it's nice to see the behavior of children when they are engrossed in playing with cats. However, parents still need to supervise their little one because cats can spread disease from scratches, bites, or touches of hands. Compared to adults, children are more vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing.

So, what are the diseases caused by cats to watch out for?

Risk of disease in kittens from cats

Like most animals, a cat's body is also home to many parasites, viruses and bacteria. These various microbes can infect the human body and cause a number of diseases.

Here are some of the health effects that can occur:

1. Diseases of the named cat cat scratch disease (CSD)

Cat scratch disease is a disease caused by bacterial infection Bartonella henselae . Cats are usually infected with these bacteria through fleas or other cat bites. In children, the disease is transmitted from scratches, bites, or licks when playing with cats.

Symptoms generally appear for 1-3 weeks, then get better on their own or after the child takes antibiotics. Launch Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Symptoms that parents need to watch out for include:

Lumps or blisters appear on the skin that has been bitten or scratched.
After a few weeks, there will be swollen glands in the groin, elbow, armpits, neck, or near the area where the scratch or bite was affected.
Fever, headache, decreased appetite, rash, and weakness.

2. Diseases from other cats: infection Campylobacter

Bacteria Campylobacter live in the digestive tract of cats, dogs and hamsters. Children can get this disease if they do not wash their hands after touching cat feces, or from touching items and toys that are contaminated with feces.

Infection Campylobacter causing symptoms in the form of fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Diarrhea is sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or accompanied by blood. Symptoms generally appear 2-5 days after infection and will last for 1 week.

3. Ringworm

Source: Healthline

Ringworm is caused by infection with several types of fungi that live on the soil, human skin, and the skin of pets including cats. In cats, the fungus that causes ringworm comes from a species Microsporum canis or Trichophyton mentagrophytes .

Children can get the disease from direct contact with animals. The main symptom of ringworm is the appearance of dry, scaly bumps with reddish edges. This disease can be treated with anti-fungal drugs in the form of cream, shampoo, or taken directly.

4. Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by a parasitic infection Cryptosporidium spp. The spread of infection occurs through contact with feces, drinking water contaminated with feces, or when a child touches his mouth after handling a cat.

The main symptom of this parasitic infection is watery diarrhea. Diarrhea is often accompanied by stomach pain, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms usually last for 1-2 weeks and will improve on their own.

5. Salmonellosis

Salmonellosis is a disease caused by bacterial infection Salmonella . In addition to being transmitted from the consumption of contaminated food, this disease can also be transferred to a child's body when playing with cats.

Children who experience salmonellosis will show symptoms in the form of fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Symptoms usually begin 6 hours to 4 days after infection occurs, then gradually improve after 4-7 days.

Playing with cats provides benefits for children's development. However, children sometimes do things that make cats feel threatened so that these tame animals scratch or bite.

Diseases from cats generally get better on their own, but you still need to watch out for signs of infection or other unusual conditions. If the symptoms do not reduce, check with your little one to the doctor to get further treatment.

In addition, check your pet cat to the vet regularly so that the cat is always healthy and does not transmit disease to your child. Diseases from cats can be prevented in this way.