2007-01-21 06:31:24 · 12 answers · asked by ANNE I 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
No they can't: "viruses are species specific meaning that human viruses usually only affect primates."
2007-01-21 07:26:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
yes. But it depends on what you mean by a cold. Zoonotic diseases are those that can be passed from species to species. If something can be passed from an animal to a human, then yes, it can be passed from a human to an animal. An example of this is Giardia. Giardia is usually transmitted to humans by infected water and is the most common form of water contamination and mass diarrhea outbreaks in the U.S. However, if a bird is a carrier and you get a little poop on your hand then eat a hot dog, you now have it. If you wipe and don't wash and then pick up your bird, your bird becomes a carrier.
Ever hear of psittacosis? Its common name is parrot fever and is highly contagious. A person can be a carrier and get their bird infected and vise versa.
As for viruses, the LCM virus killed a woman in Rhode Island last year because a hamster infected with the virus bit her. She had recently received a new organ via transplant and had a compromised immune system.
The pet store I work for makes us wear protective gear when cleaning animal cages so that we don't get the animals sick, and so that they don't get us sick.
Also, take a look at the back of a petsmart sales record.
"Birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small animals all have the potential to carry viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections contagious to humans. Always wash your hands before and after handling the animal or it's litter."
It goes both ways. If we can get it from them, then they can get it from us. Call your vet and talk about Zoonotic diseases and infections for more information
2007-01-21 21:21:35 · answer #2 · answered by lemonnpuff 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be possible due to the similarities of some viruses. (IE the bird flu)Since they can infect us;we can infect them with a few viruses. Great hand washing and avoidance of sneezing around the bird and contact with our noses and mouths is essential during human illness related to common viruses. have a tweet year.
2007-01-21 20:24:32 · answer #3 · answered by firestarter 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
MOST viruses are species specific, very few that can be passed between species. We would have died out long ago if we were susceptible to all animal viruses and diseases.
2007-01-21 16:35:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
YES THEY CAN AND IT CAN KILL THEN IF YOU DO NOT GET TO VET FAST[LIKE CALL ASAP TO A VET] IV LOST MY SUNNY BY COLD /FLU FROM MY KIDS AND HAVE A VET NO MORE THEN 15-30 MIN FROM YOUR HOME
2007-01-21 22:37:53 · answer #5 · answered by dellaken@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they sure can. They may not have the same symptoms and all of that, but yes, they absolutely can. Dogs can too, but not cats. I'm not sure why cats can't, but I know that birds and dogs can get colds from you.
2007-01-21 16:34:27 · answer #6 · answered by sdkramer76 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
yes
2007-01-21 17:22:53 · answer #7 · answered by wendyhannan0130 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes they can and it's more common then you might think.
2007-01-21 16:30:44 · answer #8 · answered by birdgirl 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, absolutely they can.
2007-01-21 14:38:15 · answer #9 · answered by kherome 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Only if you sneeze directly into it's face.
2007-01-21 14:35:55 · answer #10 · answered by adoptionmama 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋