Human to bird disease transmission?

strudel

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I know there are infections that are transmissible to humans from birds and the focus on the information seems to be what people can catch from birds. What about the other way around? I have a cold/tonsillitis/bronchitis/throat infection/cough-based something. Assuming it's just a normal "people disease" and not some horrible rare disease they've given to me (they all seem healthy, no signs of any infection), am I a risk to my birds? I'm reluctant to handle my galah and have her in with me if I'm potentially contagious to her.
 

TessieB

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Contagious like having a cold? In that case wash your hands before handling her and no kissing allowed.

On the other hand, when I worked for an avian vet I had to were protective gear when handling the sick avian patients. If you were sneezing and coughing this particular vet did not allow you to handle any bird. Makes sense if you think about it- a sick bird is susceptible and unable to create an immune response to any challenge.
 
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strudel

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Thanks. In a vet environment, you'd have to be careful about transmission between the patients as well as to each patient.

I can wash my hands before handling her/wear a facemask so I don't cough on her, but how about bringing her indoors? If my germs/bacteria/virus/whatever is something that survives on surfaces, could she get a human disease by walking on my stuff?

Whether I am worrying too much really depends on whatever the risk might be of birds catching human diseases.
 

MonicaMc

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Birds can't catch a cold. Having said that, if you are sick, then the bacteria in your mouth and nose may be higher than normal, and *that* could make her sick.

Keeping your hands clean and her away from your face during this time would help to keep her from getting sick.
 
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strudel

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Thanks everyone. I think I'm pretty much over it now, and she still seems fine, so I don't think I've given her anything. If she can't get human diseases, that's good to know for future reference.
 

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