Can infections be transfered from cats to humans? UPDATED

[Desley (booktigger)]

I have weird allergies too, the docs said it was the cats, but i was actually prescribed an inhaler during the only period of my life where there hasn't been a cat around, and i am much worse at work than at home, although I can tell when it is time to strip the bed as my eyes get a bit itchier. Glad you are getting allergy tested Leanne, my doc wont test me, instead I get to take tablets all year round.

[Leanne]

To be honest I'm confussed, I've always been sniffly around the boys and get itchy if I'm headbutted by them but nothng has really effected my eyes before.

But the last 6 months my eyes have been really bad, but much worse when I'm at home with the boys as opposed to being at work so that would tie in that its them.

I'm going to get allergy tested properly to find out, whether I am or not to be honest doesn't matter as they aren't going anywhere I'll just live with my puffy eyes.

I've used petal cleanse before so should start it upa agin really and see what happens

[Janeyk]

Well I've been to Moorfields this morning, and it turns out I have a severe allergy, and she suspect it to be animal fur 

I've got 2 lots of steroid drops and antihistamine drops.

Guess I'll just have to manage it as my boys are going no where what ever the doctors say.

Have you always had the symptoms as long as you've had the boys Leanne? If not I suspect the Doctor is simply blaming the obvious  I had a hospital doctor do the same saying Tiggy was the cause of my asthma flare ups - I pointed out I'd had her since I was a child and never had any problems until she was 17 so doubted very much that she was the cause!

Maybe the asthma was made worse by the cat though Helen? just a thought -  as I have noticed since I have had older cats (which seem worse for causing allergic reactions)  I have suffered symptoms I never did before and have bought Petal Cleanse (I should use it more often though) Byron especially makes my nose stream, sneeze and sometimes feel a bit breathless.  I was once allergic to my mascara I'd used years and when I told my GP he said you can become allergic to a wedding ring you've worn for years.

Just seems a bit of a cop out on the Doctors part, I've had a cat and asthma for 16 years virtually symptom free yet a bad attack was immediately put down to having a cat    Even if it was caused by cats I'd never give them up, they're way too precious to me 

oh yes, I totally agree that happens -  in some cases when there's no alternative explanation they'll put it down to something which 'fits' 

eta: nor I, I could never be without my babes 

[Janeyk]

Well I've been to Moorfields this morning, and it turns out I have a severe allergy, and she suspect it to be animal fur 

I've got 2 lots of steroid drops and antihistamine drops.

Guess I'll just have to manage it as my boys are going no where what ever the doctors say.

Have you always had the symptoms as long as you've had the boys Leanne? If not I suspect the Doctor is simply blaming the obvious  I had a hospital doctor do the same saying Tiggy was the cause of my asthma flare ups - I pointed out I'd had her since I was a child and never had any problems until she was 17 so doubted very much that she was the cause!

Maybe the asthma was made worse by the cat though Helen? just a thought -  as I have noticed since I have had older cats (which seem worse for causing allergic reactions)  I have suffered symptoms I never did before and have bought Petal Cleanse (I should use it more often though) Byron especially makes my nose stream, sneeze and sometimes feel a bit breathless.  I was once allergic to my mascara I'd used years and when I told my GP he said you can become allergic to a wedding ring you've worn for years.

[Mark]

I am pleasantly surprised t read that - I have wondered for a long time. I know you can buy threadworm tablets in the chemist but I have never seen one that does all types of worm. I was at the hospital (I have stomach problems) a few months ago and the consultant said I would be surprised how many people go to hospital with stomach problems that turn out to be tapeworm etc 
Isn't black walnut supposed to be good? - there is a nutrition centre down the road and they sell one preparation for worms and another for worms and parasites. She thinks its a good idea to take them twice a year.

[nutzy]

My eyes swell up and itch like mad if I touch them after stroking any animal, be it dog, cat or rat.  I have to be very careful.  The chemist gave me phenergan tablets, which are antihistamine, and some drops, could have been the same - phenergan!  Anyway, that sorts it. Talking about things we can catch from our pets - when we lived in South Africa and when I used to deworm our pets, I dewormed all of us too at the same time - it was common practice.  I don't see the same here in Britain though.  You would be surprised as to how many of us have worms that we have inadvertantly picked up from our pets, or from other sources and with Britain being a country of animal lovers, I am surprised that deworming of people, especially children is not more widely advocated. 

[Millys Mum]

She would suspect the cats as thats what doctors do  you have lived with them for x amount of time without issues, has anything else changed? New perfume, shampoo, washing powder, new plant in the garden in full bloom etc

[Bazsmum]

I suppose an allergy is different from actually catching the infection from a cat so its gonna be easier to treat! 

I have heard a lot of folks recommend "Petal Cleanse" for allergies to cats, maybe give them a go if you need extra relief! 

[Leanne]

Well I've been to Moorfields this morning, and it turns out I have a severe allergy, and she suspect it to be animal fur 

I've got 2 lots of steroid drops and antihistamine drops.

Guess I'll just have to manage it as my boys are going no where what ever the doctors say.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

yes that will be a good idea and wish i was near there for emergencies

[Leanne]

Thanks everyone 

Strange thing is we're not sure its conjunctivitis, it might be in Milo but mine defiantly isn't I've getting no crustiness at all.

Think if I am no better tomorrow then I'm going to go to Moorfields A&E

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I used to get conjunctivitus if I stroked a cat and then rubbed eyes.........can occasionally happen still and it clears its self.

On the whole things do not pass from cats to humans.....believe that ringworm does though

[Christine (Blip)]

You might be swapping bacteria which irritate the eyes of you both.  Or even some irritant from the house or garden?

[Millys Mum]

Conjunctivitis is one thing iv read can be zoonotic but others places say no, my friends cat had swabs taken to look for bacteria, if he had one that can affect humans then i guess its possible, he wont have given you anything like herpes or chlamydia as its feline specific

[Gillian Harvey]

Its certainly possible for a human to pick up conjuctivitis from a cat with conjuctivitis - so I guess vice versa is likely, don't know for sure though 

[Leanne]

Milo has suffered from eye infections quite frequently, the vet suspected it to be feline herpes. His had eye drops and they have cleared up. But around 2 weeks after Milo's eyes have leared up I've had eye infections.

Now my doctor has put them down to blepheritis (sp) but last week my eyes were really bad, I was waking up with my eyes almost closed then they would clear, but come the evening they would be bad again.

Now I saw the Doctor today and he asked me lots of questions then it clicked with me, Milo has an eye infection then 2 weeks later my eyes flare up. The doctor thinks they are related and wants me to keep watch out and next time it happens to go to an eye hopsital A&E

So my question is does anyone think this is possible that we're cross contaminating each other?