The therapist spoke about the infections transmitted from domestic cats to humans

Stanislav Ionov, Professor of the Department of Therapy at the Medical Faculty of the State University of Education, spoke on Wednesday, May 21, about diseases transmitted from pet to owner.

According to the therapist, a person can become infected with toxoplasmosis from a domestic cat. Pet infection occurs through eating an infected rodent, unwashed vegetables or herbs, contaminated soil on the street or in the country, as well as through dirt brought home by a person on the soles of shoes.

"In humans, toxoplasmosis is almost asymptomatic, the only clear sign that allows you to be wary is an increase in lymph nodes. Toxoplasmosis is especially dangerous for pregnant women, as it affects the fetal brain and causes dementia," he said in an interview with Lenta.Ru .

Ionov recalled that a pet can infect with various helminths, which include toxocariasis, roundworms and other worms. Helminthiasis can cause exacerbation of diseases, disorders in the digestive tract (vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite), nervous excitability and sleep disorders, allergic reactions such as rash, shortness of breath, cough, the expert specified.

"A blood test, especially in ascariasis and toxocariasis, shows an increase in the level of eosinophils, as in an allergic disease. If a helminthic invasion is suspected, treatment is necessary," the expert also concluded.

Contagious with fur: avian flu in cats threatens the world with a new pandemic

How high is the probability of another strain dangerous to humans?

Earlier in the day, Alexander Ginzburg, head of the N. F. Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, said that the probability of transmission of the avian influenza virus to humans from cats is high.

At the same time, the virologist noted that the mortality rate is 50-70%. 360.ru .

In turn, Olga Ulankina, an expert at the Hemotest laboratory, told RT that cats can become infected with avian influenza (H5N1). This infection is manifested by coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, lethargy, loss of appetite, anxiety, and digestive disorders.