can lizards pass infections to humans?

Question

boil like symptoms, similar to staph infection.

Answer 1

Check out the Monitor lizards of Malaysia. They bite their victim and wait for the nasty bacteria injected in the flesh to kill or put their victim into shock. A single bite can take down a deer, antelope or larger animal.They have been known to take humans.

http://icwdm.org/WDC%20website/reptiles/monitorlizard.htm

Anything that scratches or bites deep enough to penetrate the skin can cause infections by bacteria. Salmonela and Staphylcoccus Aureas, Pseudomonas can easily be put into the wound.

Now for the simple day-to-day handling of pets like chameleons, iguanas, gekos, etc... they are pretty much harmless and do not normally bite. Scratches are another story. The larger the animal, the more muscle power they have to try to escape your grasp and they do have sharp claws but as with any wound, thoroughly clean it witth soap and water and a little triple antibiotic ointment is usually all that is required. It is just as likely that if you picked your nose and had an open cut could just as easily gotten impetigo (staph infection). If the site of redness continues to increase then see a doctor...oral antibiotics might be needed. things you can do to help prevent infections if you have any animal as a pet is to keep their cage clean. Remember the walls of the cages define where they live, eat, and crap. If there is no place for them to move but in their own excrement then expect skin infections when you get scratched. Keep their cage clean.

Since you are asking a general question ... can they pass infections the answer is absolutely yes. Is it a major problem that would keep me from having a pet of the type I mentioned... no... as long as you are old enough to take on the responsibility. I would not recommend it for a 2-5 year old child who doesn't know how to keep his hand out of his mouth or wash after handling their pet.

Answer 2

The reptile will quickly become ill. Uncleaned vivariums can habour a whole load of bacteria, including salmonella. Salmonella can be passed onto humans from reptiles, especially if the reptiles aren't looked after properly and there aren't any proper hygiene routines. Basically, the following things can happen: -Any escaped bugs will be left to thrive.. They could reproduce in the tank and cause serious problems to the reptile. Crickets have been known to eat bearded dragons and other reptiles if not taken out. -Faeces will grow all sorts of harmful bacteria -Bacteria will also reproduce in the substrate -Any cuts/lesions in the reptiles will become quickly infected, making them a target to any left over insects.

Answer 3

I know you can get salmonella from them but staph is all around you and most of the population has it on them. As long as it doesn't get in your blood stream it isn't fatal. But you need to see a doctor for antibiotics

Answer 4

anything can pass infectious germs to anything.

Answer 5

yes--really nasty ones--especially if they bite you.