Human illness passing onto parrots confusion

[noblemacaw]

I really don't know where to put this topic but I cannot get these questions out of my mind and I am too upset right now to do the pain of internet research.

I was always under the impression parrots could not catch our colds, flu, human viruses.

I know our bacteria in mouths and such are NOT good for parrots and can screw up their flora, their own bacteria.

In light as to what happened to WarfRat's family's flock I am very confused and extremely upset what happened to the parrots. (I am also saddened by Scott's illness and the family's troubles but that is not the focus of this thread)

I thought I understood this but apparently I don't know anything anymore.

If anyone understands about parrot/human transfer of disease or illness please direct me to some answers. If this topic was already answered else where please direct me. I am full of questions and scared I don't know enough about this topic.

I appreciate any guidance on this subject.

[ShellyBorg]

For the most part as long as we practice good hygiene and no close contact with our fids when we are sick , they will be OK. What has happened here is very unusual.

Things to do when you are sick.
Wash hands! Before touching the cage and after.
Change out water.
Stay away. This is a good time to just let your bird hang out in the cage.
Do not prepare food. Use frozen or just feed pellets until you are better.
Take care of your self, The faster you get better , the better it is for everyone.

[Mayden]

I have copied what I wrote on a similar thread on PF.

I would say it's a fairly isolated incident. We cannot pass along many bacteria and viruses to our birds simply because what thrives in our bodies, will not thrive in theirs.

We have a body temp of approx 37degrees C (it's 37.6 or something) whereas birds have a body temp of between 40-43 C. So basically, the virsus and bacteria that attack our bodies cannot handle the temperatures in a birds, they cannot spread and multiply, etc. So they'll die off. There are so many other factors, but INTERNAL temperature is definitely one of the biggest ones.

We recently spoke to our vet about mites, about potentially our bunnies passing them to our birds if there was a mite problem. We were reassured, again for temperature reasons, that the mites on our buns would dislike our birds overall bodies, for temp etc, and so wouldn't go for our birds. Same applies for bacteria and viruses.

So although there are some zoonotic illnesses that we can pass between birds and humans (avian flu, obviously being the most well known) there are actually not that many and so there's no need to go into panic mode. If you KNOW you have a zoonotic illness (and some that are 'zoonotic' can only be passed between say, human and pig, not bird, so you'd have to check specifics) then obviously, stay well away from your bird, potentially ask for someone else to care for them, or ensure that a vet is somewhat on standby knowing what you have and what would be needed to treat.

If you get sick, I'd just say limit your contact with you bird/bird area, if you have a partner who isn't sick, ask him/her to take over until you're better, but most importantly PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE.

I could maybe (with some others help) conduct a list of which illnesses to look out for?

Strep itself is not usually a zoonotic illness, but there are different strains and types if strep that are. So although Wharfrat probably knew he had strep, he probably didn't realise that he might possibly have the strain that could infect his birdies - as most people wouldn't. Who get's themselves tested to know the extract strain you have? So it's important to just be vigilant, but if you've just got the sniffles, don't panic too much, just be aware.

[Blancaej]

Well said Shelly!

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[jules]

hi Rebecca as already said i wouldn't worry too much, just common sense and washing your hands often and no kisses on beaks and your birds will be fine. when i had flu a few years ago, i treated jasper much the same and when i slept jasper slept with me, on my head of all places :th_biggrin:

[plax]

I have copied what I wrote on a similar thread on PF.

I would say it's a fairly isolated incident. We cannot pass along many bacteria and viruses to our birds simply because what thrives in our bodies, will not thrive in theirs.

We have a body temp of approx 37degrees C (it's 37.6 or something) whereas birds have a body temp of between 40-43 C. So basically, the virsus and bacteria that attack our bodies cannot handle the temperatures in a birds, they cannot spread and multiply, etc. So they'll die off. There are so many other factors, but INTERNAL temperature is definitely one of the biggest ones.

We recently spoke to our vet about mites, about potentially our bunnies passing them to our birds if there was a mite problem. We were reassured, again for temperature reasons, that the mites on our buns would dislike our birds overall bodies, for temp etc, and so wouldn't go for our birds. Same applies for bacteria and viruses.

So although there are some zoonotic illnesses that we can pass between birds and humans (avian flu, obviously being the most well known) there are actually not that many and so there's no need to go into panic mode. If you KNOW you have a zoonotic illness (and some that are 'zoonotic' can only be passed between say, human and pig, not bird, so you'd have to check specifics) then obviously, stay well away from your bird, potentially ask for someone else to care for them, or ensure that a vet is somewhat on standby knowing what you have and what would be needed to treat.

If you get sick, I'd just say limit your contact with you bird/bird area, if you have a partner who isn't sick, ask him/her to take over until you're better, but most importantly PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE.

I could maybe (with some others help) conduct a list of which illnesses to look out for?

Strep itself is not usually a zoonotic illness, but there are different strains and types if strep that are. So although Wharfrat probably knew he had strep, he probably didn't realise that he might possibly have the strain that could infect his birdies - as most people wouldn't. Who get's themselves tested to know the extract strain you have? So it's important to just be vigilant, but if you've just got the sniffles, don't panic too much, just be aware.Great points and advice, Cat!

[Mayden]

Great points and advice, Cat!

Thanks :)

[coltfire]

very well put cat and thank you for the info.

[noblemacaw]

Thank you everyone for your input and suggestions and information. I think I was over thinking a lot because of what happened to Scott's flock and having a compromised immune system myself. The specialist has spent countless conversations suggesting to me to rehome ALL my pets. I told him I cannot do it and to fix it so I can keep my animals. I went two months without any parrots in the home the first time in over 20 years and I was extremely miserable. It just was not the way I can live anymore. Without any parrots was a real dismal existence for me. Needless to say he has stopped pressuring me to get "rid" of my pets.

When I lost Mihijo two months before Valentino came home I suffered severe depression. It was too much and I had to work hard to be able to move forward for my own sake. It was not an easy journey. I will be the first to admit Valentino helps heal my heart but it was not easy. None of it was. I only had a taste of what Scott, Deb and Conner are going though and my experience has affected me greatly. I pray for this family every day to heal from all of their tragic loss of their feathered friends and home.

[Mayden]

Thank you everyone for your input and suggestions and information. I think I was over thinking a lot because of what happened to Scott's flock and having a compromised immune system myself. The specialist has spent countless conversations suggesting to me to rehome ALL my pets. I told him I cannot do it and to fix it so I can keep my animals. I went two months without any parrots in the home the first time in over 20 years and I was extremely miserable. It just was not the way I can live anymore. Without any parrots was a real dismal existence for me. Needless to say he has stopped pressuring me to get "rid" of my pets.

When I lost Mihijo two months before Valentino came home I suffered severe depression. It was too much and I had to work hard to be able to move for for my own sake. It was not an easy journey. I will be the first to admit Valentino helps heal my heart but it was not easy. None of it was. I only had a taste of what Scott, Deb and Conner are going though and my experience has affected me greatly. I pray for this family every day to heal from all of their tragic loss of their feathered friends and home.

I'm sorry you went through such a hard time. Merlin is my monkeybutt and gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning (having a sickness myself), even if it's just to uncover him for a 2minute chat before I have to go back to bed. It gets me up and makes me smile to hear "meeeeeeeerlin" repeated back to me.

I'm unsure why you having a compromised immune system would mean having to rehome your pets when there are very few illnesses that transmit between the two. Unless there is something I'm unaware of.

My partner is on meds that makes him compromised and I'm naturally compromised too, we have rabbits, birds and a gerbil. But have never had any issues. It's people with all those nasty germs we need to be weary of!

Hope you're doing better now Rebecca, I struggle with depression too (alongside my chronic illness) and it really can be crippling. Big hugs from me and my bunch. xx

[Debra]

I have asthma and have had 2 different doctors tell me to get rid of my birds. I asked them if they would get rid of their children if their health were compromised. They said no and I told them that my birds were my children and I couldn't "get rid" of them. This past fall I had a bad time with my asthma and the subject of my birds came up again. I told them to give me a better inhaler and forget about my birds. That is what happened and I've not had any trouble since.

[kendrafitz]

I was thinking about this for the last couple days. I started with a nauseous stomach, headache, low fever and dizziness a few days ago. The next day I had a killer sore throat. None of this is normal for me. I get upper respiratory and chest colds, but thats about it. I figured with the way my throat felt it was probably strep and started antibiotics. (A full dose I had that I didn't use this fall). Once I started the antibiotics I pretty much stopped handling Rosie as much as possible for 24 hours. She was very upset to say the least.

I am handling her today as I took my 4th dose and she is pitiful. I am starting to feel better but not 100%.

My fear is that I may have passed something on to her before I realized it may be strep. As most of you know, Rosie is my constant sidekick. Even if we are just hanging out she will run over for a kiss (or 10) and then go back to what she was doing.

So now I am a nervous wreck that I may have gotten her sick. Not quite sure what to watch for, but I'm watching. :(


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[Casper's 2nd best friend]

I was going to suggest you wear a face mask (like nurses do) but that might make Rosie want to investigate it. Its probably past incubation period now, anyway.

[kendrafitz]

I was going to suggest you wear a face mask (like nurses do) but that might make Rosie want to investigate it. Its probably past incubation period now, anyway.

Yes, you've got Rosie's number. A face mask would not stand. It would have to be immediately and roughly removed. I am guessing I would get a good pinch for having the audacity to wear it as well.


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[PlaxMacaws]

Hopefully Rosie will be fine. The pathogen afflicting your system may pose no threat to birds. And even if it does, Rosie's immune system may be stronger than yours. After a few days with no signs of Rosie becoming ill, I'm sure you'll rest much easier.

I hope your symptoms fade and that you will be feeling lots better very soon, Kendra.

[Quakerella]

So sorry to hear you are not well Kendra, get better soon.

This may help. From my understanding(which is sometimes questionable) it can not be passed on by mouth, but needs to get into the blood stream.
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[kendrafitz]

So sorry to hear you are not well Kendra, get better soon.

This may help. From my understanding(which is sometimes questionable) it can not be passed on by mouth, but needs to get into the blood stream.
[Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

Thank you for the link. And the reassurance. I will just keep an eye on her.

I am feeling much better, thank you. I caught it quickly so I recovered quickly. :)


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