Human Respiratory Issues & Ferrets

[Deleted]

I could have sworn I saw a forum specifically for human illnesses but I'll be d*mned if I can find it now.


I have a nasty head cold that has settled in my lungs. This is a common occurrence for me, I used to smoke and I have asthma.

I was wondering about passing this on to my babes. I know that the cold is supposedly not contagious to ferrets...but now that it's in my lungs...? My temp has been running between 98 and 98.6 F

Of course I am erring on the side of caution and handling the babes as little as possible & only after scrubbing my hands. Tonight I'll have gloves and a mask. Fortunately my parents are giving my babes all the extra care that I can't right now all my regular snuggles and the like.


What do y'all think?

[Sherry]

While ferrets don't contract the human rhinovirus(common cold), they can and do get the influenza virus. Now, the scary part is you never know if what you have is indeed just a cold, or a very mild form of the flu.
Always best to err on the side of caution and assume it's flu based. Hand washing, masking, no kisses, etc. Handle as little as possible. Basically everything you would do to make sure a human child doesn't contract it.

[Deleted]

Tnx Sherry. Sounds like I am doing all the right things then. It's sooo hard to not snuggle, Soxx loves snuggles but I'd hate to get any of them sick.

If it works itself into bronchitis (a distinct possibility), can they get that?

[Heather]

Again....you cannot tell what the virus is so it's best to be cautious. Right now, I have an upper respiratory infection going through the business....who knows how they got it but I teach children. I may not even get a symptom but it doesn't mean that my little ones won't. Their immune system is already depressed. Just treat your illness like you would any other virus around your little ones. I try not to snuggle and kiss my little ones when I'm sick. That being said, I do this job solo, so I'm their only caregiver. Like children if you coddle them, they tend to catch viruses easier. Basically, I'm careful, but I don't go to extremes. If I'm running a fever (meaning the virus is active and contagious) then I will handle as little as possible. Many viruses are at their most contagious before symptoms.
ciao

[Deleted]

Tnx Heather. Fortunately I live with my parents, who are absolutely besotted with the furbabes, and are more than happy to bestow kisses and snuggles upon them for me In the meantime I'm trying my darndest to stay both close but distant at the same time!