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Suggest Treatment For Deep And Congested Cough
Question: My son has been coughing but just a light annoying cough nothing deep or congested. This has been for about a week. Our cat went to the vet today and has a bad respiratory infection that started with a cough a few weeks ago. My mother in law freaked me out saying animals and humans can share germs. Is this true.
Brief Answer:
not likely at all
Detailed Answer:
HI , thanks for using healthcare magic
The most common cause of acute cough in any person particularly children is acute upper respiratory tract viral infection (common cold);
There are bacteria,parasites and viruses that can cause coughing in cats (eg feline herpesvirus, feline reovirus, feline bordetella etc) but it would be very very very rare for any of these pathogens to affect a human.
The person would need to have severe suppression of the immune system by disease (eg cancer, diabetes, or medication (Eg steroids or other immune suppressants).
If your son's immune system was suppressed, his cough would not be slight and he would also constantly have other infections.
Summary: (1) this would be very rare occurrence and it is not likely at all
(2)cough likely due to normal human common cold
I hope this helps , feel free to ask any other questions
not likely at all
Detailed Answer:
HI , thanks for using healthcare magic
The most common cause of acute cough in any person particularly children is acute upper respiratory tract viral infection (common cold);
There are bacteria,parasites and viruses that can cause coughing in cats (eg feline herpesvirus, feline reovirus, feline bordetella etc) but it would be very very very rare for any of these pathogens to affect a human.
The person would need to have severe suppression of the immune system by disease (eg cancer, diabetes, or medication (Eg steroids or other immune suppressants).
If your son's immune system was suppressed, his cough would not be slight and he would also constantly have other infections.
Summary: (1) this would be very rare occurrence and it is not likely at all
(2)cough likely due to normal human common cold
I hope this helps , feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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