Animal/Human Safety Practices for Immune Compromised People

[Guest guest]

This post concerns diseases of humans and animals other than viruses

that we may be concerned about when we live with animals and how to

keep them and be safe. As posted earlier, the only virus that crosses

species lines is rabies and the vaccine is always killed, so not

transmittable.

I have searched for what I felt were the most clear and reputable

sites dedicated to teaching us about safe practices when living with

an animal and a compromised immune system ourselves. Every reputable

site I have visited, whether CDC, or teaching veterinary universities,

as well as sites dedicated to people who have AIDS or are HIV

positive, has recommended strongly that people keep their pets and

practice safety precautions to keep themselves well. Animals and

people have special supportive and loving bonds that can be very

healing for each.

After researching a myriad of sites, I made the decision to just

include the CDC website as it seems to be the most comprehensive and

not as overwhelming to get through as some. You will see on the CDC

site that there is even specific information for people who have gone

through bone marrow transplants.

Below is the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website

that gives information for safe practices for immune compromised

people with animals. This website is for people with severely weakened

immune systems, specifically AIDS and HIV-positive, so I assumed it

would also be appropriate for CLL/SLL people, as well as people going

through chemo, since this was the way other sites jumbled us all

together. You will see links for different subsets of people you can

click on in the CDC website.

http://www.cdc.gov/Healthypets/extra_risk.htm

I have also included a link to a recent article from USAToday, which

may seem odd as a reference, but I put it in because it has seemed to

have very helpful information from Dr. New from the University of

Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, whose specialty is public

health and the animal/human connection. There is an excerpt below.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-28-cancer-pets_N.htm

“…. New, head of comparative medicine at the University of

Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. They call New because his

specialty is public health, which means he monitors animal and human

health concerns and guidelines. New never advises them to " ignore the

physician's advice, of course, " he says, but " in many instances I can

give information on assessing the situation and offer precautions. "

It all comes down to degree of risk and whether a person — or doctor —

feels the need to reduce it to nearly zero, or is willing to accept

somewhat more. Every situation " must be handled on a case-by-case

basis, " New says. But he points out that the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention has prepared guidelines for reducing exposures

for people with various weakened-immune-system conditions, " and

nowhere do they say 'get rid of the pet at home.' "

In fact, the guidelines for dealing with HIV-infected people say such

patients " should not be advised to give away or destroy healthy pets "

but should be dissuaded from acquiring a puppy or kitten under 6

months old because of a specific bug they may carry.”

Hope this information helps! My disclaimer is that I sought out the

information and made the decision (as with the USA Today article) to

post certain websites that I personally found helpful as someone who

lives with animals and loves them. I am not a vet. Check with your

vet and doctor or the CDC if you need more or different information.

All the best, Carol