So here’s the deal. The reason behind all this is… drum roll please. Did you know that reptiles and amphibians can carry germs that can make us humans sick? It’s true! According to Dr. Elizabeth Hohmann, an infectious disease expert at Massachusetts General Hospital, one of the most common germs they carry is Salmonella bacteria. It is important to take care when handling these reptiles and amphibians to stay healthy! Did you know that these animals prefer to live in warm and humid environments? It’s crazy, right? And guess what? Salmonella, that pesky bacteria, loves those kinds of places too! It’s like a match made in heaven for them.
Have you heard about all the recent disease outbreaks that have occurred in the US? It’s been pretty crazy!
Reptiles and amphibians sometimes have Salmonella. It’s pretty interesting because even though it doesn’t make them sick, they can still carry the bacteria. The CDC’s warning about adopting those cute turtles as pets. There have reportedly been some serious outbreaks of Salmonella illness and hospitalizations in 24 states. The situation has gotten quite worse this year, so they advise people to be careful. Oh, by the way, did you know that other small pets, like mice or hamsters, and even farm animals like chickens, can also carry and spread the bacteria? It’s quite interesting, right?
Salmonella can actually be transmitted to people in many different ways. It can happen when we come into contact with animals, their droppings, food, or even things like toys and food dishes. Even the habitats where these animals live, such as cages, tanks, aquariums, and water, can be sources of exposure to Salmonella.
Dr. Hohmann says bacteria gets on your hands and then accidentally touches your mouth or nose. You know, this is something that tends to happen more often with younger children.
People who are exposed to the bacteria can develop salmonellosis.
Who is more likely to get sick?
Salmonellosis can affect anyone, but people aged 65 and older, children under five, and those with long-term medical conditions are more likely to experience serious symptoms, including hospitalization.
Young children sometimes have difficulty with personal hygiene and understanding safety rules when it comes to handling animals. As we age or if we have chronic diseases such as diabetes, our immune system can weaken. This means we are more likely to get sick and contract diseases. It is important to take good care of ourselves and stay healthy! In really serious cases, these annoying bacteria can reach our bloodstream. And once they are there, they can spread to other parts of our body and cause infections.
What signs and symptoms does this infection have?
The main symptoms of this are diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. If you become infected, you may begin to experience these symptoms within six hours to four days. They usually remain for four to seven days before finally disappearing.
If you have a pet that could have Salmonella, it’s a good idea to contact your pediatrician or primary care team for advice. They will be able to give you the best guidance on what to do.
There are definitely some situations where seeking immediate medical attention is very important. For example, if you’re experiencing severe chest pain, shortness of breath, or sudden numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, it’s definitely time to get to work.
If you or your child start experiencing any of these really serious symptoms, it is very important that you seek medical help immediately.
diarrhea and temperature above 102°F; bloody diarrhea that is so severe that you cannot keep fluids down; Symptoms of dehydration include little or no urination, dry mouth and throat, or lightheadedness when standing up.
What if you already have a pet turtle?
If any of you have a pet turtle or any other high-risk pet, I just wanted to share some important safety measures from the CDC that we should all keep in mind. It is essential to follow these guidelines to keep ourselves and our pets safe. Children may need to be reminded to wash their hands frequently and play safely.
Wash your hands. Every time you handle or feed your pet, in addition to cleaning the area where he lives and roams, wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with plenty of soap and warm water.
Make sure you play safe! Just a reminder: try not to kiss or snuggle your pet too much, and also avoid eating or drinking near them. It’s just to make sure we keep things clean and safe for everyone. Be sure not to bring it into the kitchen or any other place where you eat, store, or cook food.
Make sure you clean everything properly. When it comes to cleaning up after our pets, it is a good idea to have cleaning materials exclusively for them. You know, like a wash tub, sponge, and scrub that are used exclusively for our furry friends. Helps maintain hygiene and prevents any cross contamination. So next time you clean up after your pets, remember to bring those special cleaning supplies! Clean cages, aquariums, and other pet items outside at all times. You are at greater risk of contaminating your food if you use a kitchen sink.
The best advice to stay safe is to simply not keep these animals as pets. Or, if you really want, maybe wait until your kids are older. That’s what Dr. Hohmann suggests and it makes a lot of sense, right? Did you know? I think it’s probably a better idea to stick with dogs and cats. They are family and we know how to take care of them. Plus, they are super cute and cuddly!
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