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Can Bacteria And Parasites Be Contracted From Dogs Licking Humans On The Lips?
Question: Hey doctor,
Recently I had a friends dog accidentally lick me right on the lips when it jumped up onto me. I brushed my teeth and washed my mouth out when I got home about 20 minutes later, but I was just reading that dogs can transmit bacteria and parasites to humans? What can I do to further prevent anything happening as my stomach is quite weak and already has a lot of gastrointestinal problems and I don't want to further aggravate them.
Recently I had a friends dog accidentally lick me right on the lips when it jumped up onto me. I brushed my teeth and washed my mouth out when I got home about 20 minutes later, but I was just reading that dogs can transmit bacteria and parasites to humans? What can I do to further prevent anything happening as my stomach is quite weak and already has a lot of gastrointestinal problems and I don't want to further aggravate them.
Brief Answer:
You should see if you have symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You should know that the most of the bacteria in the dog’s mouth are harmless. But dogs can carry bacteria or parasites that can pass between animal and cause disease.
Salmonella, pasteurella, campylobacter, and leptospira are just a few of the most dangerous bacteria our dogs may be carrying.
But in your situation, the only thing you have to do is just washing your mouth as you have done.
Furthermore, you should see if you have symptoms like diarrhea, fever, cutaneous elements or abdominal pain after this situation and meet a doctor ( if this happen).
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Monika Dede, Infectious Diseases Specialist
You should see if you have symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You should know that the most of the bacteria in the dog’s mouth are harmless. But dogs can carry bacteria or parasites that can pass between animal and cause disease.
Salmonella, pasteurella, campylobacter, and leptospira are just a few of the most dangerous bacteria our dogs may be carrying.
But in your situation, the only thing you have to do is just washing your mouth as you have done.
Furthermore, you should see if you have symptoms like diarrhea, fever, cutaneous elements or abdominal pain after this situation and meet a doctor ( if this happen).
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Monika Dede, Infectious Diseases Specialist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
If I were to have symptoms from it what would the timeframe usually be? And if I did have symptoms what type of treatment and tests would be conducted for it?
Brief Answer:
The treatment can be different .
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If you have a bacterial infection it needs some days to some weeks to get the symptoms.
If you have a parasitar infection it depends on person to person to have or no symptoms and it needs weeks to months to get the symptoms.
The lab examinations depend on the symptoms you may have and what your doctor after a physical examination will ask.
The treatment can be different (antibiotics or antiparasitar)in above-mentioned diseases according to the lab results.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Monika Dede, Infectious Diseases Specialist
The treatment can be different .
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If you have a bacterial infection it needs some days to some weeks to get the symptoms.
If you have a parasitar infection it depends on person to person to have or no symptoms and it needs weeks to months to get the symptoms.
The lab examinations depend on the symptoms you may have and what your doctor after a physical examination will ask.
The treatment can be different (antibiotics or antiparasitar)in above-mentioned diseases according to the lab results.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Monika Dede, Infectious Diseases Specialist
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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