Can a Cat get You Sick?

My cat sneezed directly in my face got in my eyes, mouth (yea gross, but I didn't know he was going to sneeze lol). Anyway, I'm feeling kinda sick now, is there anyway a cat can get a person sick?

Short answer: Not from him sneezing on you.

Longer answer: Only if you eat his poop.

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/broch...icdisease.html

Or if he is rabbid and bites you.

If you get sick after your cat sneezes on you, then you were likely coming down with a cold beforehand. Fun coincidence.

A cat can catch strep from a human, though...or so I have heard.

Carly suffers from seasonal allergies. She will get all weepy and sneezing the week before I get that way. I always accuse her of making me sick. She rewards me by sneezing on me.

If its viral, very unlikely. Bacterial is more likely though, but not if its the common cold as that one won't transmit. That's why even somewhat light kitty bites or scratches that penetrate even just a couple layers of the skin can become quite inflamed, and one shouldn't share food (at least not on the same plate) and wipe down surfaces that kitty walks on. Saw someone sharing a lick of icecream for example, and then continued to eat it themselves... yuck!

There is nothing that would cause a cat to sneeze that could possibly be transferred to us. My cats walk all over my furniture, counters and tables, lick my lips, nose and eyes, and sleep on my pillow with their whiskery little faces only inches from mine; they've not yet made me ill, nor do I anticipate they ever will.

Feces of any animal is loaded with bacteria but as long as you practice common sense sanitation measures (no eating poop!), there're no worries there either.

I don't typically share food with my cats (I like mine cooked!), but there was one memorable instance when I did share, sort-of. I had indulged in Chinese take-out for dinner and Ralph thought he'd be slick and snagged a chicken teriyaki stick right out of the bag... I snatched it right back (I think he actually froze for a second in astonishment that his theft attempt had succeeded) and ate it without a second thought.

AC

I've heard not, but have a personal story that differs.. A couple of years ago, I was lying on my back, and Lilly was sitting on my chest. I opened my mouth to let out a big YAWN, and right as I did so, she sneezed - - - right.in.my.open. mouth. GROSS!! 2 days later, I was sick with the worst cold/flu/whatever it was, but I was really sick (congestion, head) for at least a week or more. blecht.

"There is nothing that would cause a cat to sneeze that could possibly be transferred to us."

A year old boy in Arizona got the Bubonic Plague from his sneezing cat.

My cat sneeze on me too, right into my mouth,

david's steph said:

I've heard not, but have a personal story that differs.. A couple of years ago, I was lying on my back, and Lilly was sitting on my chest. I opened my mouth to let out a big YAWN, and right as I did so, she sneezed - - - right.in.my.open. mouth. GROSS!! 2 days later, I was sick with the worst cold/flu/whatever it was, but I was really sick (congestion, head) for at least a week or more. blecht.

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It is possible but not very common. I used to think that it wasn't possible and this came up last winter in the forums, I answered with the stock no not possible. Some long time members that I respect a great deal answered that it is possible so I did some research. It is possible. It depends on what virus is causing the cold symptoms. Herpes is a common cause and that is not transferable. Some cold and flu viruses are however, it depends on the virus and it is not common. They are not transferable back and forth to dogs, it has to do with how the virus works in each species.

Cat-Choo! Can Cats And Dogs Catch Colds From You?

It is very rare and I don't believe that it is something for people to be concerned about unless they have other serious health issues.

I'd say possibly if you have a compromised immune system ie chronic health issues

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denice and Mimingcat22 - Here's a relatively comprehensive list of the most common zoonotic diseases and parasites transmissible from cats to Humans courtesy of Cornell University:

Zoonotic Disease: What Can I Catch from My Cat?
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Well, I was sitting here all worried about my cat sitting up on the fridge and sneezing down into the food I am cooking. I think if all of the people who had a cat sneeze into their mouths survived, I think we will be ok. LOL

I have 4 cats and all of them have had a URI's at some point in their lives. I have been sneezed on more times than I can count. I have been on medication for over a year that does affect my immune system. I have had snot sneezed in my face multiple times by my cats. My youngest cat Casey sneezes a few times a week and it is generally when he is curled up on me cuddling. His snot always winds up in my face. I have never caught a cold or any other illness from my cats. When I do get sick I can honestly say it is most likely something I caught at work. I work retail and am around sick people all the time.

I know this is a very old post, but...

ducman69 said:

Saw someone sharing a lick of icecream for example, and then continued to eat it themselves... yuck!

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I always allowed my cats to eat my stuff even off my dish, or lick what I was going to eat, and I haven't died yet, neither did I get sick, ever.
Sometimes I would give them something off my fingers, then I would lick my fingers clean myself
For those who think certain things might be gross, I used to kiss my cats right on their mouths, regularly and without feeling any disgust from it.
I did love them to bits!