My dad has the flu (like every winter), and I keep my parakeet's cage in the living room, as it's the biggest room in the house. And that's where my dad spends most of his time. Now, my dad usually gets better fast, but is he a danger factor for the bird?
2006-12-24 07:26:39 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
No
Viruses are very species specific. Meaning that while the symptoms look the same, the germs will only infect 1 type of animal (or human) and none others.
Mutations are what causes "bird flu". They are so rare it's almost a crime for the media to scare us with it. Seriously, it's nothing for you, your dad or your parakeet to worry about.
2006-12-24 08:09:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
This is the unabridged reason why you should still keep your father -- and for that matter all other sick individuals -- away from your pet.
Even though it is true that the likelihood of him transmitting a viral infection to your bird is extremely slim, both of the deadliest influenzas to strike the planet so far (one in the early 1900's, called the pig and chicken flu wiped out an alarming chunk of the US population; and the recent "bird flu") have had avian counterparts.
Your father's flu can live quite easily wherever the environment is conducive to it, whether or not it successfully causes illness there, and the sinus cavities and intestines of our pet birds are perfect places.
Once there, viruses commingle with each other and upon infrequent occasions they evolve into that rare and magic combination of features that makes them harmful to people and birds, or other animals. Most bird-to-human diseases are of idiopathic respiratory or intestinal origin, spread by fecal dust or dander.
It is for that reason that you ought to minimize contact, even though, as everyone has already discussed, your father's flu poses no real threat to your bird.
2006-12-24 21:48:54 · answer #2 · answered by Em 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More likely so the bird is a danger to your Dad, than your Dad to the bird. His yearly susceptibility to "flu" like symptoms might be a allergenic reaction to the feather dust that birds normally produce as well a the dry fecal material collected on the cage bottom. Your Dad sickness will not transmit to your bird. Birds are capable of acting as host to several diseases that transmit to humans, Psittacosis being an example.
2006-12-27 15:11:16 · answer #3 · answered by ventralis 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The influenza virus cannot be transmitted to birds. There are a few diseases that can transmit from bird to human. Since most of the virus is shed from the eyes and nose, great hand washing will help keep you well because most people with the flu will rub their eyes or touch their nose and spread the virus to door knobs,phones, and other items which others will touch and then become infected. I think this is too much information. So sorry. Have a tweet holiday.
2006-12-24 16:18:44 · answer #4 · answered by firestarter 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Viruses are species specific. Bacterial infections can be transmitted to other animals. Only handle the parakeet if you're positive it's the flu and not a bacterial infection.
2006-12-24 17:04:07 · answer #5 · answered by pigs003 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No. They are 2 different viruses but bird cannot give us a cold and we cannot give them a cold. Only certain viruses spread among birds and us (avian flu).
2006-12-25 19:49:02 · answer #6 · answered by Vee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This time of year you have to be careful, because she could catch a cold if left in a drafty area, or in the summertime, if the a/c blows too close to her!! But it would be very difficult for her to catch your Dad's cold, if not nearly impossible---still to be on the safe side, he shouldn't get too close, or cough or sneeze on her...Birdman
2006-12-24 23:56:00 · answer #7 · answered by birdman1890 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
unless, your dad is coughing right at the bird, it shouldn't affect the bird. i mean my whole family gets sick every winter and we have had a conure for over 2 years...she's still screamin and singin' every day (in other words she's ok)
2006-12-25 15:27:51 · answer #8 · answered by TITANS FAN 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if he has the flu keep him away from your bird. a vet will tell you this too. i have 2 parrots and already checked into this.
2006-12-25 14:21:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, colds cannot jump species but it is always advisable to wash your hands after/before handling your pet. However, for other things that are harmful to parakeets/budgies from human contact can be found here:
http://www.birdcrazy.com/OLD/newsite/vetinfo/vetanswers.html#Budgies%20that%20have%20developed%20respiratory%20problems
2006-12-24 21:28:17 · answer #10 · answered by Alletery 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋