Bloodborne Pathogens and Other Infects You Can Contract from Pets.

The risk of exposure to human blood is well known to many people— and we pay much attention paid when dealing with it. Nevertheless, little said about dealing with exposure to pet blood, particularly blood from cats and dogs.

Human blood can contain bacteria which can lead to serious illness such as HIV, MRSA, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.  These viruses are referred to bloodborne pathogens. But most people do not understand how certain diseases can be passed by from pets to human.

How Diseases Can spread from Pet Body fluids to Human

There is no significant disease carried by dogs and cats that are known to spread to a human through exposure to blood. But you can contract infections from infected pet body fluids.

Many pet diseases spread from pet to human beings via body fluids.

Though pets’ blood might not contain more dangerous pathogens found in humans such as HIV, Hep and Hep C, their blood could be dangerous to your health. Pets owners should avoid direct contact with pets’ blood.

Exposure to pets’ blood can be hazardous, and once it occurs, one should wash it off immediately with excess water.Any feeling of illness after exposure to pets’ blood should not be taken lightly.

If you think you’ve been infected, seek medical attention from the doctor. Explain the nature of the exposure and your case can be tested and detected.

How to Protect Yourself While Cleaning up Pet Blood.

Pet blood cleaning is almost similar to cleaning human blood. The first and the essential step is to make sure you use proper personal protective equipment’s which include using gloves, mask, and an apron.

PPE or personal protective equipment help you stay safe from potential infections. If you are not able to cleanup blood, seek the services of a professional.

Biohazard cleanup professionals have the expertise and tools you need to do athorough blood cleanup. This article will focus on pet blood pathogens in a penitentiary setting and how to control the spread of infections.

Every pet owner should take precautions to protect themselves from diseases. They shouldalso follow proper safety guidelines when handling health hazards and dealing with sick pets.

RecommendationsforPet HealthCare Centers.

Pet centers that who failto address theseconcerns could expose their workers to ill health.

  1. Training on Body fluid infections.

Pet owners should ensure all their family members trained on body fluid pathogens and how they can protect themselves. Also, while there is the need to undergo training, pet owners should ensure that the trainers mandated to perform the coaching are conversant with the subject.

  1. Provide personal protective equipment.

PPEs are a must-have. While cleaning pet body fluid, use personal safety equipment, including gloves, goggles, and other safety equipment that can help reduce the spread of infections.

  1. Safe Disposal of Pet sharps and medical wastes.

The owners are also mandated to use closed object containers to transport sharp objects or fluids to their disposal area without endangering themselves. 

  1. Emergency response or first aid training.

Training on safe pet first aid techniques can reduce the chances of human infection.

  1. Improve the quality of health care and control the spread of infections.

The standard of living with pets can move from bad to worse to pathetic. Some pet owners are not effective in offering essential services like delivering reliable healthcare to their pets or even controlling disease transmission.

  1. Check health records before buying a pet.

Another factor that causes the spread of these infections is the transfer of pets from one house to another.If Bloodborne pathogens viruses infected the pet, their transfer might affect their treatment.

It can also endanger other pets due to the fact such facilities may be holding many pets. Such activities can result in an outbreak of illnesses triggered by bloodborne pathogen and body fluid exposures.

  1. Streamlining health records.

Many pet farmers have poor or obsolete health record management systems that hinder the sharing of info. As a result,owners fail to share crucial health info concerning a pet.

  1. Comply with OSHA Safety Guidelines.

Many pet owners do not comply withOSHA guidelines. Infectious disease control practitioners have to be more innovative so at to protects the wellbeing of the pets as well as the pet owners.

Other Ways Pet Diseases Can Spread.

As we have noted, there is the need to implement changes to control outbreaks, but still, there some challenges that can affect the control of bloodborne pathogens.

  1. Hand hygiene.

Many pet owners lack proper hand washing equipment. Many farmers do not have them at home. It is crucial to have the appropriate cleanup equipment and make sure to use them after an encounter with blood from pets.

  1. Sharp objects.

Use proper sharp disposal facilities such as closed metallic containers andensure all sharp objects are kept away from pets to avoid injuries.

  1. Pet and pet house hygiene.

Pet owners should ensure their pets are clean, and maintain hygiene to avoid breeding infections.

  1. Pet housing.

Some farmers have an acute shortage of pet houses to hold the pet and a crowd that must share the few pet houses. 

If there is an outbreak, the infections can spread very fast due to the congestions in the facilities. The lack of quarantine pet houses—that can be used to manage contagious diseases— can also contributes to more infections. 

Most householdsdo not havean infection control expert which and may need to partner with other institutions to help prevent such diseases.

Health Risk Exposure to Pets.

Bloodborne and body fluid pathogens are infectious disease-causing micro-organisms that reside in the blood. Some can transmit from pet to human through blood and body fluids. In essence, they are viruses or bacteria that are carried through the blood.

When passed-on from an infected pet to a human, they cause diseases in human beings. Unfixed tissues can also be part of blood-spread infections that can cause illnesses in the human body.

Some of the bloodborne pathogens that are very common in humans are hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B (HBV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which caused AIDS. Other Bloodborne pathogens include syphilis, malaria, and brucellosis.

Common infectious Pet diseases.

Several infectious diseases can be carried on by cats and dogs. Most of these pathogens can be harmful to human health. Contact to feces and urine bites from pets, and contact with the saliva are some of how this pathogen can spread through. The most common disease that can be spread from pets to human is;

            1.Tapeworm

            2. Salmonella

            3. Rabies

            4. Cat scratch disease

            5. Ringworm

            6. Roundworms

None of these disease is spread directly by blood from pets to humans. Though there is a risk that the pathogens may mutate, that can lead to one of these pathogens be transferable from pets to humans. Always be cautious while cleaning up bet blood.

Pets have numerous benefits to their owners, more especially entertainment and company; besides the many benefits pets pose a health risk to humans.

The United States is a country where most people love keeping pets. About 65% of their households are known to own a pet. They consider pets as part of their family. We love pets because they offer comfort and companionship.

Pets provide several benefits to human health. A study published in the journal Circulation in May 2013 linked pet ownership to a reduced risk of heart disease.

Pets have the potential to spread infection and cause human illness. The following are some of the health risk related to ownership of pets;

  1. Tapeworm, hookworm, and roundworm.

The most common tapeworm in dogs and cats is the Dipylidium caninum, which is caused by the injection of fleas that carry the tapeworm larvae.

D caninum can be passed by to humans though the risk is shallow. Mostly it affects small children after getting into contact with the infectious flea. Flea control is the best method to reduce D caninum in both cats and dogs.

Cyclostome Brasiliense, A. caninum, A. cellarium, and Uncinariasis epencephala are just some of the species of hookworm that can infect cats and dogs.

The hookworm parasite can be shed in the feces of animals, and humans can contract it by coming into contact with infected faces or contaminated soil and sand where such faces have been.

Hookworm infection in humans mostly affects the skin condition in which the hookworm larvae enters the skin.

This will cause a red itch, and it is sometimes excruciating. In extreme cases, hookworm will affect the small intestine, thus causing stomach problems and even diarrhea.

Dogs and cats are at the danger of being infected with a bacterial called toxocariasis. It is a parasite roundworm from cats and dogs. Eggs from the parasite are shed through the animal faces. Humans will contract the disease when they swallow or get into contact with animal faces.

Though it appears human exposure to Toxocarid is high, most people infected with it do not develop symptoms or become sick. In rare cases, people do become ill from toxocariasis.

The condition may cause vision loss in one eye, or abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, and coughing due to damage to various organs visceral toxocariasis.

  • Salmonellosis.

This is a disease that is mostly carried on by reptiles such as turtles, snakes, and lizards. Not many people are comfortable having this reptile pets. This pet contains a bacterial responsible for the disease salmonellosis.

 A human can contract the disease by touching the reptile or ingesting the germs. Turtles are the most common carrier of the disease salmonella. The risk is mostly too young people, the elderly, and most people with a weak immune system, especially when they consume meat from young turtles.

 Within 12-72 hours of aSalmonellainfection, a person may experience diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps that last around 4-7 days. While most people fully recover without treatment, others may need to be hospitalized.

3. Rabies.

This is the worst disease that humans can contract from cats and dogs and mainly from small animals. Rabies affects the central nervous system.

A bite from an infected animal causes rabies. The disease causes fever, headache, and weakness, and it may progress to severe symptoms if the condition gets worse. One may experience symptoms such as hallucination, paralysis, insomnia, and painful swallowing. Worse cases may lead to death.

Domestic animals contract the disease if they get a bite from infected wild animals such as foxes and bats.

Pets will show symptoms after 1-3 days after contracting the disease. Symptoms may include; unusual shyness, aggression, or even excess salivation. Once you suspect that you have contracted the condition, you should seek immediate medical care from the hospital.

4. Campylobacteriosis.

The most common symptom of this disease is diarrhea. The condition is believed to affect 1.3 million people annually in us. Other symptoms of the disease may include; cramping, abdominal pain, and fever.

 While most cases are caused by exposure to contaminated food, particularly meat and eggs and water, it can also be contracted through exposure to the stool of an infected animal, including dogs and cats.

 The disease is not strong enough to cause death, though individuals with a weak immune system, young children, and the elderly are at high risk of dying of illness. 

  • Parrot fever.

Parrot fever affects all birds, but humans can only contract the disease mostly through parrots, particularly turkeys and ducks.

How to CleanPet Blood stains

Pet or animal blood can spill anywhere. And when it does, the first step is to issue first aid, and after the pet is in a stable condition, the next instinct is to want to clean the spills.

But cleaning blood can be a difficult task. Besides the health risks discussed above, it is a thick liquid that’s difficult to clean. Blood contains clotting components that activate instantly when exposed to changes in pressure and ambient air, making it stick together and to other things.

One must take their time to clean it out entirely because failure to do so may leave stains and pathogens.

Before cleaning up blood, one must remember four things.

  1. The universal rule of blood. One should always assume that blood is infected because you cannot tell whether it isn’t just by looking at it.
  2. Use the right cleaning materials.
  3. Wearing protective gear and equipment is a must. It is for your good—to keep you safe from any would-be infections.
  4. And remember, cleaning is not the same as sanitizing, so make sure you understand what you are after.

OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens kit have recommended some specialized equipment which is required to clean blood spill safely.

  • Protective gown
  • Eye protection
  • Mask
  • Disposable groves
  • Protective cap
  • Biohazard bag with a zip tie
  • Scoop
  • Disinfecting towelettes
  • Absorbent materials like sand

It is not always easy to follow the general blood cleanup guideline. The following are descriptions on how to cleanup blood in different types of conditions.

  1. Floor with rug.

The floor is the most common setting for blood spills. Some of these surfaces include metal, wood, tiles, and any other non-absorbent flooring. It is easier to clean the blood on this surface, but necessary steps have to be considered.

 1. Wear your disposable gloves.

 2. Protect the area until the cleanup is complete.

 3. Use absorbent material to wipe up the place thoroughly to make sure that no blood traces are left

4. Spill bleach solution to all the contaminated areas.

5. The bleach solution should be allowed to stay in the infected areas for about 20 minutes then clean up the remaining bleach solution.

6. All the cleaning materials should be disinfected by saturating with a bleach solution and then allowed to dry.

7. Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water.

How about if blood stains on a carpet?

  1. Stains on the outside.

Blood spills on the outdoor can be a challenge. The best way is to relocate the outdoor activity that caused the exposure and then cover the affected area.

The area should be disinfected with the right detergent and then thoroughly cleaned up with water. It is always essential to prevent the blood in the affected area from spreading.

Always wear protective gear and dispose of the disposable materials properly after cleanup.

  1. Blood stains on household Furniture.

Thick fabrics can be difficult to clean. It is essential to containing the spill as fast as possible so that the blood doesn’t harden on the furniture.

 Cloth furniture needs more treatment than wood or metal furniture.  The best way to deal with the cloth furniture spill is to remove the cloth covering on the furniture.

 If the fabric is not removable, the only option is to disinfect the affected area and leave it for minutes for the disinfectant to work, then repeat the procedure several times. 

Blood spill on wood and metal furniture is not as difficult to clean. Bloodborne pathogens are still a threat even on the wooden and metal furniture; therefore, extra care should be observed while conducting the cleaning.

Metals, wood, and other non-porous furniture should be cleaned just like blood spills on non-carpeted surfaces.

Ask Experts to Clean Blood for You.

Sanitizing pet blood does not always have to be a risky and tiresome experience.

The next best thing is to call a blood cleaning service to deal with clean up and sanitize the area. Identifying a nearby service can help you learn costs and prepare for any unanticipated scenarios.

How to Dispose of Waste from Pests.

Waste from pests should be disposed of according to bloodborne pathogen guidelines.

It is also necessary to sanitizeall other material as well as your personal protective equipment with detergents or a disinfectant to avoid the dangers of exposure to pathogens.

Any pet needles and sharps must be stored in a puncture-proof vessel.

Here are someprinciples on how to deal with blood:

  1. Use the necessary personal protective equipment and follow guidelines on how to use them and other requirements.
  2. Do not handle pet fluids without blood

Take an Online First-Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens Course.

You can take a bloodborne pathogens (BPP) course to learn more about handling blood.

The American Academy of CPR and First Aid Inc. offers complete coursework on BBP. This free-of-charge web-based course trains how to handle blood safely and the precautions to reduce exposure.

 What’s more, you earn a certificate for a small charge upon completing a simple test.

Because everyone is at the risk of exposure to these pathogens, this course is not only for medics and nurses. In a world where accidents are inevitable, anybody can be a first-responder.

And that can work better if we have more people training on first aid and bloodborne infections.

Final Words

There is no significant disease carried by dogs and cats that are known to spread to a human through exposure to blood. But you can contract infections from infected pet body fluids.

Exposure to pets’ blood can be hazardous, and once it occurs, one should wash it off immediately with plenty of water. Any feeling of illness after exposure to pets’ blood should not be taken lightly.

Several infectious diseases can be carried on by cats and dogs. Most of these pathogens can be harmful to human health. Contact to feces and urine bites from pets, and contact with the saliva are some of the ways these pathogens can spread to you.

Every pet owner should take precautions to protect themselves from diseases. They should also follow proper safety guidelines when dealing with sick pets.