There’s nothing cuter than your little one hugging a baby animal. But what you might not notice as you snap that adorable photo is the germs it may be carrying. Even the healthiest looking animals can be shedding bacteria without any symptoms.
That’s not to say that kids shouldn’t go to petting zoos, fairs, farms or aquariums. Learning about animals and how to interact with them is an important part of childhood development. I recommend that parents take the following precautions when they visit animals:
1. Pay close attention to kids under age 5
The CDC says kids under age 5 shouldn’t touch reptiles, amphibians or birds. I realize this might be tough because most kids love to be around animals. But it’s best to wait until their immune systems are strong enough to fight off any germs these types of animals may be carrying.
For immunocompromised kids, talk to your doctor about what they recommend.
2. Remind kids to keep their hands away from their faces
Kids under 5 don’t have the best hand hygiene, and they may still put their hands in their mouths. Watch them closely after they pet the animals and remind them to keep their hands away from their faces until they’re washed.
Remind older children who can follow instructions not to kiss the animals, bite their nails or suck their thumbs.
3. Keep personal items out of the petting area
Along those same lines, keep food, sippy cups and pacifiers out of the petting area. This is to discourage any of the surrounding germs from getting into their mouths. I would also leave the stroller outside as well.
4. Wash hands with soap and water
After touching the animals, have your kids wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer is better than nothing, but soap and water work best. It’s especially important to make sure children’s hands are clean before they eat or drink anything after touching an animal.
5. Know the most common germs and symptoms kids can get from animals
The most common germs kids can get from petting animals are E. coli, salmonella, cryptosporidium, and campylobacter. These illnesses often live in the animals’ poop and can then be transferred to their fur, paws and the surrounding environment.
From those living on farms to the more exotic, non-traditional pets, these germs can live in a large variety of animals. In other words, one type of animal isn’t necessarily riskier to pet than others. Here’s a list of symptoms these illnesses can cause:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting/nausea
- Fever
- Body aches
- Headache
6. Understand what to do if your child has symptoms
Typically, the above symptoms will appear between 2-7 days after exposure. If your child develops symptoms following a known exposure at a petting zoo, let your child’s doctor know. This is so that we can help track the symptoms and make better decisions about next steps.
While severe symptoms are rare, they do happen. The good news is that we have tests to determine the type of bacteria causing most animal-borne illnesses, which can help us better target treatments.
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