MetaChat - I have a really bad cold.

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01 February 2006

I have a really bad cold. Should I avoid touching my cat?

post by: interrobang at: 22:09 | 12 comments

'Cause I really miss petting her, but I don't want to get her sick somehow. Does this happen?

posted by interrobang 01 February | 22:09

I have never sickened my cats with a cold virus.

And isn't there research that shows that petting animals actually helps people, health-wise? Like, lowers blood pressure and shit?

posted by mudpuppie 01 February | 22:16

I'm pretty sure cats and dogs don't catch most human viruses, so you're safe, interrobang. I've used my cats as a heater/hot water bottle when I was freezing due to a high fever, and they were none the worse for wear.

posted by BoringPostcards 01 February | 22:21

Hmm. But apparently, humans can transmit colds to ferrets.

(Whether ferrets can transmit green slime disease to humans seems to be an open question. I assume this point is moot in the current discussion.)

posted by mudpuppie 01 February | 22:22

Should I avoid touching my cat?

yes, but only to avoid getting toxoplasmosis! your cat, otoh, will be fine

ianav

posted by Wedge 01 February | 22:27

I'm sneezing and coughing (and barfing) all over the place, so there are already a lot of ambient germs in the apartment. I just didn't want to directly apply germs on my hands to the cat's fur, and then have her lick them off.

posted by interrobang 01 February | 22:31

Yeah, my ferret got my cold once. Ferrets sneeze funny.

posted by stilicho 01 February | 22:42

yes. afaik viruses tend to be ~species-specific. if your cat is showing any symptoms like loss of appetite, watery eyes, etc its probably something else/serious... in which case you'd probably want to have the vet check it out

it doesnt sound like youre doing too hot. (are you running a fever?) take it easy, man! and i hope you're feeling better soon

posted by Wedge 01 February | 22:51

I've had a fever/cold and hot chills for three days now. I've been taking it easy, but it's hard to sleep.

Thanks, Wedge.

posted by interrobang 01 February | 22:54

Shit, bang. If you're barfing, it's probably more than a cold, no?

Be well. See a doc, not a vet.

posted by mudpuppie 02 February | 00:38

Your cat would hunt you down and eat your liver if she had the chance. Take this into account.

posted by LarryC 02 February | 05:39

Just don't tire yourself out too much and you'll be fine.

posted by Hugh Janus 02 February | 12:00

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