JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – More than 50 percent of U.S. households have at least one pet, and they can have a number of health benefits like emotional and social support. But for some of us, contracting an infection from one could be deadly. Children under five, adults over 65 and pregnant women are at the highest risk.
Experts say our furry friends can transmit more than 70 human diseases, like cat scratch disease. Forty percent of cats carry the disease at some point, and if you're scratched or bitten by an infected cat, you can suffer fever, joint pain, headache, fatigue and weight loss.
Recommended Videos
Cats can also spread the disease called toxoplasmosis. This can cause congenital defects, encephalitis or meningitis if a pregnant woman is exposed.
Dogs can spread ringworm, hookworms, and although rare, rabies which if left untreated is almost always fatal.
And if you're a turtle lover, listen up! Up to 90 percent of reptiles harbor salmonella which can cause vomiting, fever and abdominal pain in humans.
To avoid infection, experts recommend wearing protective gloves when cleaning aquariums, cages and removing feces. Use proper handwashing after pet contact, and discourage pets from face licking.
Experts also advise not to let your pet sleep in the bed with you. Although some pets are more like family, they also walk outside and can bring parasites into the bed.
Other high risk animals are amphibians, hedgehogs, chinchillas, rodents and young chickens. If your child is sick or unPet-tder the age of five, try to keep them away from puppies and kittens younger than six months old. Mature dogs and cats are at the lowest risk of spreading infection.