Need quick advice....

[julesellen]

Hi. New to the parrot world and have a question.
I have a very nasty cold/fever.
Is it safe to handle my parrot, or should I keep away?
Don't know if they can catch sickness from humans.
I haven't taken him out of the cage today and don't want to until I know for sure I am not endangering him with my yucky germs!
Help?

 

[suebee]

hand washing before handling him, keep your face away from him etc to be safe

your virus might be air borne anyway

and yes from what i have read they can pick up our colds etc, but your birds not going to know your sick, all your bird be thinking is *ahem outta cage time please!

 

[julesellen]

Ha! Yes, he has been giving me the evil eye. LOL I just didn't want to get him out until I knew for sure and I can tell he's getting the "ahem."
I wash my hands before handling him every time no matter what, so not a problem.
I guess I will NOT be giving him kisses for a few days.
Thank you!~ Albee sends his regards.
Have a wonderful day.
jules

 

[Pedro]

I don't believe Parrots can pick up any type of flu/cold from humans. However we can get Chlamydiosis (Psittacosis) from infected parrots. Parrots can get upper & lower respiratory infections but it's not the kind of virus that cause the comon cold in humans. I would be more worried about what an infected bird could pass on to me that me giving my birds a cold. One of the reasons i never let a parrot stick their beak or tongue near my mouth.

 

[MikeyTN]

Psittacosis is highly contegious! So be wary if you have an outside aviary, make sure it has a roof over it also make sure wild birds can't get in. I agree with Pedro about more afraid what they can give me instead of vice versa.