One is not likely too get it from a reptile. Its transferred by ingestion (eating it) mainly. mainy by eating food that has been contaminated by poor hygiene of the food preparer.
So even if a reptile has it, if you handle it or clean it out and dont suck your fingers, or wash your hands before sucking your fingers, you should be OK.
Yeah, which usually I wash my hands or at least use hand sanitizer before going and touching/preparing food! I think people should be doing that anyways regardless of what they’ve been doing, proper hygiene is important.
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Absolutely, there are also so many other serious infections you can also get from just food without reptile contact otherwise. Besides hand hygiene, I would add, proper cooking and storage temperature’s of food are needed too.
Like you said, I have never got sick from reptiles, (and i have many decades) but often from food (Mostly abroad as we usually have good food hygiene standards in our countries- but they are not always followed)
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I agree that hygiene is very important. Whether our kids are handling the snakes, guinea pig, or outside lizards and frogs the first thing everyone does is wash their hands. Late post but a great topic👍
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Years ago I helped with a quick rehome of a fairly large collection when a buddy had to start chemo and his doctor recommended they go. He had been sick for a while with the cancer before diagnosis and was behind on feeding etc so it was probably a good thing anyway.
Also years ago I knew a guy who’s small children apparently got salmonella more than once from his snakes so his wife put her foot down. I have no idea how it was happening and I’ve also had small children in the house with no problem. I am a hand washing nut though and fly through soft soap in the sink I wash in EVERY time I so much as check on the snakes.
Counter point there might be some benefits to growing up with at least some animals. Why Getting Grimy As A Child Can Make For A Healthier Life : Shots - Health News : NPR
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Yes it is. When my son was going through chemo he could not handle the reptiles ( any animal for thar matter) could not even enter the barn. Zoonotic diseases can be life threatening. My daughter is on immune suppression for severe eczema. She cant clean tubs, cant be around the rats if we are cleaning. Must wash hands after handling an animal especially a reptile and DR said we absolutely can not have aquatic turtles. Too risky
Its not just salmonella. They can have fungal infections, ecoli, and a few others our oncologist names, i cant remember
Yea, my son when he went through chemo could not touch any animal.