do birds get people flu?

[JoT]

Here I am home from work with the flu (yes I had a flu shot) and would like to spend some of this "off" time with my birdies but I am afraid of making them sick too. I don't feel well enough to do anything productive but I do feel well enough to play or snuggle with my birdies. I am so bummed.

[ROYJOY]

i would like to know this too. i have a cold.

[SDavid]

I can tell you this much....

My wife had chicken pox as an adult not too long ago. Now that's extremely contagious from one person to the next. I called "Parrots of the World" to ask M. Morrone if my birds could catch it and he said no. So, I'd assume it would be the same case with other human viruses.

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by SDavid

I can tell you this much....

My wife had chicken pox as an adult not too long ago. .

me too. I called my vet to ask. She too said no.


They cant get the flu from you, but best to limit contact while you feel crappy. The only Zoonotic Disease from bird to human is Psittacosis.

Kissing them even when healthy can cause Pasteurella Multocida.

Zoonotic diseases, infectious disease information, NCID, CDC

[BirdsUnlimited]

You can catch TB from birds as well

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by BirdsUnlimited

You can catch TB from birds as well

forgot about that one...

People with compromised immune systems would include individuals with HIV, transplant patients, individuals on chemotherapy for cancer, or anyone taking high doses of corticosteroids. The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta considers this a ubiquitous organism, meaning found everywhere in the environment. In a paper by Horsburgh et al. [I], Environmental Risk Factors for Acquisition of Mycobacterium avium Complex in Persons with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection; "Several other important potential sources of MAC (Mycobacterium avium Complex) were not associated with disease. These include contact with soil, having a bird, knowing a person with MAC, and having been hospitalized."

People with normally functioning immune systems have a high resistance to this infection. The bacteria are already in the environment due to shedding from wildlife. However, we do urge at risk individuals to take proper precautions and avoid contact or expo sure.

Avian Tuberculosis

[BirdsUnlimited]

How about salmonellosis, avian flu, giardia? Not possible?

[Lori~D]

Ok, here is one for you?? Some of the infections that have "Flu Like" symptoms. Like Psittacosis.... how do you know thats not what you may have unless you get tested. I mean I don't always run to the doc when I get sick but since i spend time with birds not just my own...how do I know my Flu like symptoms are not something like that?

[catschair]

I think it is unlikely, but not impossible. Viruses mutate rapidly, as do bacteria; what they can do now may be totally different in a few generations. One thing I have learned in my many years of science is that saying never is dangerous. Since it is not a common event, I would not worry too much about it, but it is always wise to take appropriate precautions to avoid spreading contagion to any species.