Human > Gecko / Gecko > Human Illnesses?

[Geck-O]

I have a fever and I'm wonderin if I could give i to my gecko? If so, how could the fever be trasmitted to my gecko?

 

[Geck-O]

Also, any other diseases/illnesses/viruses/parasites/bacteria/fungus that a human can give to a gecko or vice versa?

 

[Lady_Kiya]

This is a really good question.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Diseases that can be transmitted between humans and animals are called zoonoses. Here is a fairly good link that explains:

http://www.exoticpetvet.net/reptile/zoonoses.html

 

[Haligren]

Are any of the diseases/bacteria/parasites listed in that article common in leopard geckos though?

 

[LeapinLizards]

I actually was infected with Campylobacter jejuni (I believe that is the correct strain). It was terrible...I was REALLY sick for about a week, then ended up seeing the doctor. I was diagnosed with enteritis as a result of the bacteria. That's why I have hand sanitizer in the gecko room that I use after EVERY handling, and I wash my handles with soap even after that. I am NOT going through that again...I lost about 12 lbs in 1.5 weeks.

 

[LeapinLizards]

Wash my handles? My how I love late night typing....

I meant HANDS guys, HANDS.

 

[earls413]

Hahaha Heather I didn't catch the mis-spell in the first post but since you pointed it out that's hilarious, the handles part not the sick part,LOL

 

[LeapinLizards]

Lol Amy...that's too funny of an error, I had to point it out!

Seriously though...the getting sick part REALLY scared me. It was right after I brought home a new gecko. I had an idea that is what it was from, and once I went to my doctor, that was confirmed. Made me even MORE sick to know I picked it up from my geckos. I preach hand washing and cleaning to everyone that will listen. I don't want anyone going through what I did, just because I was in a hurry and didn't wash my hands properly.

 

[Haligren]

I'm just waiting for me or someone else at work to get terribly ill considering how disgusting they keep the reptile cages there.

 

[Gregg M]

Actually, you can not transmit a fever... A fever is caused by your body fighting off an infection... You would need to find out what is causing a fever in order to know if the infection can be passed on to other orders of life...

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Also, reptiles (or other cold-blooded animals) cannot get 'fevers' since they do not regulate their own body temperatures internally.

 

[2bacop]

Well I can tell you that I did get a bacterial infection from work back in March, although we dont know if it was from the reptiles or not, but more than likely it was the hamsters. Anyway to cure the infection they had to give me a very very strong antibiotic to cure it which not only got rid of the infection but the "good" bacteria in my stomach. Well the doctors couldn't figure out what was going on and within 2 weeks of getting the infection I was in the hospital with severe dehydration and had lost 30 lbs in TWO WEEKS! I had to order medicine from the UK because it was illegal here. I had to go to specialists for 5 months and am just now able to eat regularly. They had put me on a diet that pretty much consisted of white rice and gatoraide, so thats what I ate everyday for 5 months! Anyway I think they said it was cause Gastroporisis, but you can certainly get very sick from animals if your not careful. Now I where masks, gloves, and a nurses gown when cleaning cages because my immune system is very low.

I wish I had a picture of it, it looks like I am getting ready for surgery and then you see me wiping bird crap off the glass, lol!

 

[OSUgecko]

MOST human diseases/parasites can't be transmitted to reptiles (and vice versa), because our body systems are so different. However, there are exceptions to every rule. The most commonly transmitted reptile zoonotic disease is probably salmonellosis.

Proper sanitation procedures are a MUST to avoid possible zoonosis!

 

[theclean1]

umm i guess but if you are sick dont touch your gecko because its allot easier for them to get sick

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

I don't think it's a huge issue. Wash your hands before and after holding.. and you obviously aren't going to lick inside of your geckos mouth or anything. It's just proper sanitary practices that should be used anyway. I've never considered this to be an issue.

 

[LeapinLizards]

But also keep in mind, EVERY time you touch your gecko in any way, even removing a water bowl to refill...that was how I got sick. I thought I was being cleaner than clean, and it still happened to me. As long as you are vigilant 100% of the time, it will never be a problem. I slipped up once doing something that didn't even phase me as "handling" and got verrrrrry sick.

 

[Geck-O]

But also keep in mind, EVERY time you touch your gecko in any way, even removing a water bowl to refill...that was how I got sick. I thought I was being cleaner than clean, and it still happened to me. As long as you are vigilant 100% of the time, it will never be a problem. I slipped up once doing something that didn't even phase me as "handling" and got verrrrrry sick.

Can you get illnesses by touching things your gecko touches or does he have to lick it?