Diseases carried by animals that people can catch are called zoonotic diseases. Some of these types of infections can be passed from pet cats to the people who own them. Fortunately, avoiding cat-borne disease is fairly easy when simple precautions are taken.
Types
While many of the diseases cats have and carry cannot infect people, some types do cross the species barrier. A scratch or bite even by a cat that shows no symptoms can transmit the bacteria-caused infection cat scratch disease to humans. Another bacterial infection people can get from their cats is salmonella. Toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis are all protozoans that can infect both cats and humans and may be passed from one to the other. Fungal infections such as ringworm and intestinal parasites like roundworm or hookworm may also be passed from cats to people. A bite from an infected cat easily transmits the virus rabies.
Susceptibility
Some people are more susceptible to catching diseases from cats than others. People with compromised immune systems from existing diseases or disorders such as AIDS or cancer may catch diseases from cats more easily. Children under five are also more susceptible to these diseases, because their immune systems are not yet fully developed.
Prevention
Preventing cat-borne diseases in humans is fairly easy. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, washing hands after touching or cleaning up cat feces can help prevent some diseases. Cat owners should also avoid oral contact with the cat, such as kissing the cat or allowing the cat to lick a person's face. Avoiding cat scratches or bites and washing the area thoroughly if a scratch or bite should occur may prevent infection. Regular vaccinations of the cat are also important in preventing disease in both pet and owner.
Misconceptions
In general, simply touching or petting a cat cannot cause an infection to humans, according to the CDC. Most cats that look or act seriously ill are unlikely to be a danger, since the majority of diseases that affect felines can't be transmitted to humans. Diseases that seem similar may actually be species-specific. For example, feline immunodeficiency virus in cats is not truly related to human immunodeficiency virus, so a person cannot catch HIV from an FIV-infected cat.
Considerations
Some cat-borne diseases are particularly dangerous for certain groups of people. Toxoplasmosis, carried in cat feces, doesn't normally have a major effect on most people, but it can cause birth defects or miscarriage if contracted by a pregnant woman, explains the Nemours Foundation. Because of this, pregnant women should avoid litter box duty until after the baby's birth.
