Re: IMPORTANT ? PLEASE READ

Posted by Mary on February 14, 2001 at 10:22:30:

In Reply to: IMPORTANT ? PLEASE READ posted by Christy on February 13, 2001 at 06:19:12:

Bacteria, viruses and the like tend not only to be host specific, but tissue specific. It is very unlikely that a "cold" virus would infect your iguana.

But there are many examples of pathogenic bacteria and viruses that DO go back and forth between vastly unrelated animals. For example, Lymes disease is caused by a bacterium carried by tics, but equally infects birds and mammals. Influenza viruses may be transferred from humans to birds and pigs, for example, and then reshuffle genes and infect humans.

So just keep washing your hands, this is the Most effective method of containing cold-causing viruses, before (and of course after) you handle your pet.

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: Bacteria, viruses and the like tend not only to be host specific, but tissue specific. It is very unlikely that a "cold" virus would infect your iguana. : But there are many examples of pathogenic bacteria and viruses that DO go back and forth between vastly unrelated animals. For example, Lymes disease is caused by a bacterium carried by tics, but equally infects birds and mammals. Influenza viruses may be transferred from humans to birds and pigs, for example, and then reshuffle genes and infect humans. : So just keep washing your hands, this is the Most effective method of containing cold-causing viruses, before (and of course after) you handle your pet.

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