From the Research
Yes, a cat with a respiratory illness can potentially transmit certain infections to a teenager, although the risk is generally low. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, highlights the importance of considering zoonotic bacterial respiratory infections associated with cats and dogs. According to this study, cats can carry respiratory pathogens like Bordetella bronchiseptica, which can be transmissible to humans, especially immunocompromised individuals. However, healthy teenagers could also be affected. To reduce transmission risk, the teenager should:
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling the sick cat
- Avoid face-to-face contact
- Wear gloves when cleaning litter boxes or administering medication The cat should be examined by a veterinarian who may prescribe antibiotics like doxycycline or azithromycin for bacterial infections, or antiviral medications for viral infections. If the teenager develops symptoms like coughing, sneezing, or fever after exposure to a sick cat, medical attention should be sought promptly, informing the doctor about the pet's illness, as noted in 2. It's essential to practice good hygiene, even though most feline respiratory infections have a low zoonotic potential, to minimize the risk of transmission, as emphasized in 3.