Dogs are not just cute furballs. Most of the time, they are also a part of the family. And it has been scientifically proven that owning one can make you live longer. In fact, a research found out that it can lower your blood pressure and body fat, making you less prone from heart attack and stroke. Exposing your child to a dog has been observed to be beneficial to their social, emotional and cognitive development.
Dogs are also heroes. Aside from detecting bombs and other illegal possessions on crowded areas, their nose can also detect oncoming epileptic seizures and cancer cells. They can also be trained to provide assistance on disabled persons (service dog, anyone?) and even help scientists locate rare species.
However, despite all of these benefits, dogs, just like every other species including humans, can carry pathogens that can make you sick -- starting from minor skin infections to serious disease that could kill you. As proof, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced that 30 people became infected with Campylobacter jejuni, a common bacteria that can cause food poisoning, after having contact with puppies.
Here are the common diseases that you can get from dogs.
1. Campylobacter infection
Campylobacter infection is caused by Campylobacter jejuni, the same bacteria that sicken 30 people this year. Patients would experience fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhea (often bloody).
People usually get this by eating contaminated food or water, but the feces of infected animals can cause an outbreak.
Patients can recover even without specific treatment. Some do not even experience any symptoms. But people with weakened immune systems such as elderly, AIDS patient, and people receiving chemotherapy, might require a more intense medical attention.
On rare instances, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and become life-threatening. Some might also experience long-term consequences like developing irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), an autoimmune disease in which a person's own immune system destroys nerves.
2. Dog tapeworm
Dipylidium is a tapeworm species that normally targets cats and dogs. It can be transferred to humans by accidentally swallowing fleas hosting a tapeworm larvae. Infected pets might not show any symptoms except in severe cases in which they will lose weight.
Dipylidium can be treated easily through medication, but it is better to prevent it by controlling your pet's fleas.
3. Zoonotic hookworms
Zoonotic hookworms can be transferred to humans through skin contact, usually by walking on contaminated soil that contains its larvae. The larvae can penetrate the human's skin and will result to cutaneous larva migrans, a skin infection.
Dogs shed the eggs of the hookworm, and it could hatch and live on the soil, so wearing skin protection and footwear is highly suggested to prevent infection.
4. Rabies
Rabies is a viral infection that targets human nervous system. In the United States, it is normally transmitted through bites of wild animals like bats and foxes, but in less developed countries, dog bites are still the most common cause of infection.
Rabies is a fatal disease but easily preventable through vaccination and staying from wildlife as much as possible. If you get bitten or scratched by a wild animal, immediately wash it with water and disinfecting soap, and immediately visit a doctor for consultation.
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