Can snakes get sick from people?

I think I'm coming down with a cold. I've got that one clogged nostril thing going on, and so I do fear it's going to get worse. I've been super tired more often too. I can't be pregnant, cause well yeah it's kind of impossible for me. XD

But I was wondering if snakes could catch illness from their owners like cold's, flu's, or bronchitis etc.

I usually get bronchitis right away due to smoking. <.<

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Originally Posted by KayleighBrown

I think I'm coming down with a cold. I've got that one clogged nostril thing going on, and so I do fear it's going to get worse. I've been super tired more often too. I can't be pregnant, cause well yeah it's kind of impossible for me. XD

But I was wondering if snakes could catch illness from their owners like cold's, flu's, or bronchitis etc.

I usually get bronchitis right away due to smoking. <.<

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Is it possible? Yes. Is it likely? No. Is there a higher chance of me being accepted to Harvard's college of medicine? Yes.

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Originally Posted by Physician&Snakes

Is it possible? Yes. Is it likely? No. Is there a higher chance of me being accepted to Harvard's college of medicine? Yes.

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I Really like you XD You always make my giggle.

If you take your bacteria or virus filled mucus and feed it continously to your snake yes they can get it. If you do your proper husbandry and wash your hands then your good. In other words don't feed your snke your snot and he won't get sick. It's a very unlikely thing to happen. Ive had pneumonia and taken care of mine and they never got sick.

The chance is negligible. From an article I've referenced in one of my courses: " thermoregulatory differences between reptilian and mammalian hosts which would limit the suite of pathogens able to grow in both temperature regimes."

Cats and dogs are closer to us than reptiles and they don't get that stuff.

viruses rarely hop from one species to another.

it does happen, but its really rare.

for example: there are 7 billion people on the planet and maybe 10 times as many birds. bird flu went totally pandemic and went once around the planet. but there were really few incidents where the virus hopped from bird to human. and that happened mainly in places where there are busy markets where people deal with live chickens and fresh meat and there is lots of really close contact. so the chances are really low. then, many viruses are also specific to a species and never hop.

but thats viruses. for parasites and bacteria, it helps that humans and the pets they keep are typically very clean and hygienic. dogs and cats and snakes and humans can theoretically get the same tapeworms and the same salmonella, here hygiene prevents it. if you get your hands dirty while cleaning reptile enclosures and your cats potty, you dont lick your fingers afterwards, you wash your hands before you go on to eat a sandwich. and if you handle raw paultry or raw eggs (which may contain salmonella) in the kitchen and get your hands dirty, you wash your hands before you go on to handle your reptiles.

also the bacteria that, for example, cause a wound to get infected and to heal badly are similar across species. basically, if you have a wound or your snake has one or your dog, you dont put your dirty fingers into it, you properly disinfect it and when its properly disinfected you make sure no dirt gets into it.


basically, for viruses, chances are just really really low to begin with. and for bacteria and parasites, its basic hygiene and common sense practises that cut down on the chances.

I wouldn't worry about your snakes :) Like mentioned above, just keep up the hand washing and all should be well.
I used to have guinea pigs when I was younger, and I think we shared a few colds back and forth, here and there. We were always sick at the same time (but dammit they are cute when they sneeze!) but that's besides the point.

Hmmm... a snake sneeze...

Anyways, hope you feel better.

Most illnesses are species specific. Meaning no worries of cross contamination among different species.

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