Health risk to human owners

[Punkin]

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/11/...52_article.htm


I'm feeling realy ill and i've researched online. I wasj my hands a lot, ive been picking her up or letting her run around my room, i even kissed her on the head, which was a very stupid thing to do. Hopefuly this is just flu but i found this article and thought I would share this on here.


this bit of the article is the bit I find very confusing


In addition to the contact urticaria that has been reported in some hedgehog handlers (7) hedgehogs pose a risk for a number of potential zoonotic diseases (2). Major microbial infections associated with hedgehogs include bacteria such as Salmonella and Mycobacteria, as well as some fungal and viral diseases (2). Many disease conditions can cause immunodeficiency in humans; the most notable is AIDS (9). Similarly, immunosuppressive strategies employed to prevent rejection of bone marrow or solid organ transplants render such patients extremely susceptible to viral and mycobacterial infections (9). An increasing percentage of the population is becoming susceptible to severe diseases associated with exotic pet ownership, as illustrated by the recent monkeypox outbreak in pet prairie dogs (10). Immunocompromised persons may be at increased risk for infections from hedgehogs and should be particularly careful.



ummmmmmmmmmmm? What? The diseases you could catch can cause AIDS? wtf... i thought you could only get AIDS if you came into contact with blood that was infected?

I doubt you can get aids from an african hedgehog...


But putting this asside, i am going to be handling her with a lot more care and caution from now on.

[CThogs]

ummmmmmmmmmmm? What? The diseases you could catch can cause AIDS? wtf... i thought you could only get AIDS if you came into contact with blood that was infected?

What they are saying is that people who have Aids or other autoimmune diseases can catch diseases from animals more easily. They are not saying you can get Aids from a hedgehog

Yes-you can get other diseases from hedgehogs, but it is not common. You can also get diseases from dogs, cats, and most often, other humans. Wash your hands after you touch your hedgehog or any other animals you have and most of the time that is all that you need to do.

[Punkin]

Haha, I am rather stupid, i read it saying that an illness you can catch from an exotic hedgehog can lead to autoimmune diseases, although i guessed they didnt mean that.

I realy do love my hedgehog, this must be just human flu! Think i will not kiss her on the head again. She is the first exotic pet I have ever lived with and it freaked me out a lot when i read this.

[Stasi]

It's extremely uncommon to catch an illness from a hedgehog. I have an auto immune illness, and know other people who have auto immune AND own hedgehogs (like me) and never get sick from our hedgies. I wouldn't worry, just practice common sense, and you'll be good.

[Andrea]

Hand washing, in general, is a good practice for everybody, not just hedgehog owners And not touching your eyes or mouth while handling your hedgehog is a good idea. Just like not touching your eyes or mouth after shaking numerous people's hands is a good idea.

It is very rare to contact an illness from your hedgehog but use practical sense. The same is true for all other pets. And it is also true for navigating the world in general (i.e. touching pens in grocery store checkout lines). Germs are out there, everywhere, so handwashing frequently is a good idea.

Having pets and taking care of pets and loving pets has a positive effect on the immune system. Getting rid of a pet that you love out of fear will have a very negative impact on the immune system and overall mood.

You will be ok Enjoy your hedgie!

[Punkin]

thank you

[katnoud]

I constantly kiss my hedgies, and have never gotten sick from them. Good thorough hand washing along with clean cages and clean hedgies goes a long way to preventing infections!

[HamorHollow]

Be very careful. If you get bitten by a hedgehog on a night when the moon is full, you WILL turn into a zombie.

You have been warned!!!!

[katnoud]

LOL I guess I will just have to take my chances.