Can humans act as carriers for feline herpes?
May 13, 2011 10:11 PM Subscribe
Can humans act as a carrier for feline herpes?
While traveling last week, I met a friend's cat who has feline herpes (FVH-1). I petted the cat a lot and stayed with them for several days. I got sneezed on a fair amount, as did my suitcase, I'm sure. After leaving their house, I stayed at a hotel for three days before returning home to my two cats.
A week after returning home, one of my (formerly healthy) cats has started sneezing a lot in the last two days and has watery eyes. No nasal discharge or other symptoms. Otherwise healthy with same appetite and behavior, just super sneezy.
I know humans and cats cannot infect each other with herpes (FVH-1 or otherwise). But can humans act as carriers for feline herpes, and could I have inadvertently infected my cat due to this extremely distant exposure? I realize I am most likely being quite silly in worrying about this extremely remote possibility.
Follow-up question: if it is possible that my cat has been infected, is it worthwhile to get the other cat vaccinated tomorrow, or is the other cat likely already infected?
While traveling last week, I met a friend's cat who has feline herpes (FVH-1). I petted the cat a lot and stayed with them for several days. I got sneezed on a fair amount, as did my suitcase, I'm sure. After leaving their house, I stayed at a hotel for three days before returning home to my two cats.
A week after returning home, one of my (formerly healthy) cats has started sneezing a lot in the last two days and has watery eyes. No nasal discharge or other symptoms. Otherwise healthy with same appetite and behavior, just super sneezy.
I know humans and cats cannot infect each other with herpes (FVH-1 or otherwise). But can humans act as carriers for feline herpes, and could I have inadvertently infected my cat due to this extremely distant exposure? I realize I am most likely being quite silly in worrying about this extremely remote possibility.
Follow-up question: if it is possible that my cat has been infected, is it worthwhile to get the other cat vaccinated tomorrow, or is the other cat likely already infected?
I thought it could live for 4-5 days, but in searching I actually found "The Herpes Virus can live outside the cat's body for approximately 24 hours but the Calicivirus can survive much longer sometimes for up to 7 - 10 days"
http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-flu.htm
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 10:24 PM on May 13, 2011
http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-flu.htm
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 10:24 PM on May 13, 2011
There's close to zero chance that you were the vector of transmission. Some infectious herpesvirus can be recovered from skin about a couple of hours after body fluid droplets have dried out, and several hours longer from other surfaces, such as doorknobs, fabrics, and plastics. Nowhere near three days, however.
I am a herpesvirus researcher but know nothing about the feline varieties in particular. I would assume that the members of the herpesviridae don't vary dramatically as far as viability retention is concerned.
posted by halogen at 11:57 PM on May 13, 2011
I am a herpesvirus researcher but know nothing about the feline varieties in particular. I would assume that the members of the herpesviridae don't vary dramatically as far as viability retention is concerned.
posted by halogen at 11:57 PM on May 13, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
It is a viral infection, so it is possible.
posted by TheBones at 10:22 PM on May 13, 2011