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Has anyone actually had Psittacosis??

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MollyMouse

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Hi Everyone,(Is this in the right place to post this??) just wondered if anyone on AA has actually ever had it personally or thought they had it :confused::confused:

I know birds can transmit it easily to other birds but how easy is it for humans to catch it from birds? :huh::huh:

( :eek::eek: And no I don't I have it in case anyone was wondering!! :):) )
 

Renae

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I thought to have had it, had a few symptoms, but it ended up being a chest infection.

I was told it is easy for humans to catch, like if you have a low immune system, if you are elderly (apparently they are more susceptible), younger people I am not sure about, but it is probably possible, but not common.

However, I seen awhile ago on TV, a Vet (not an Avian Vet, just a normal Vet) said that he had Psittacosis, and had got through it fine, it was a long process, but he is okay now.

It is scary, especially since I have treated 2 different birds for it as well as my whole flock while I was at it, both times, to be safe. I guess I was fortunate enough to have caught it early and had both birds treated before I got it or even any of my other birds.

ETA: I found this..

There are many diseases that can be transmitted from pets to people - and vice versa. Most recently, Joe De La Garza, a 63-year-old father and Vietnam War veteran allegedly died of parrot fever, a fact that came out after his body was exhumed and tissue samples were sent to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control in Atlanta. While extremely rare, it is definitely possible for people to get parrot fever, also known as psittacosis, from birds. An autopsy done on the bird, a cockatiel, did in fact find that the bird, purchased at PetSmart by the man's daughter, also died of parrot fever.

On June 30, ABC News reported that the family is suing PetSmart for Mr. Joe De La Garza's death.
 

chompie_puppy

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I work with a lot of wild birds so I when I developed flu symptoms a few months ago they did blood tests for both Influenza A and B as well as Psittacosis.

All three came back negative.

However, Psittacosis has a 6 week "window period" where it won't show up in the blood. Since I've recently been very sick (again with flu symptoms), I'm having another Psittacosis blood test done.

I'm not sure how easily humans can catch it from birds though. I handle and medicate Psittacosis infected birds almost every week so I am way more susceptible to it than most people I guess.
 

Billie Faye

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My Certified Avian Vet came down with Psittacosis....he recovered very nicely...thank goodness!:hug8:
 

srtiels

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Yikes...down memory lane. Many years ago I was helping a friend by handling and giving the weekly shots to her birds that had this. I wound up with it. It has real bad flu like symptoms...and you feel so bad that you would wish someone would put you out of your misery. Treatment is simple though... 1 Doxycycline capsule per day for 10 days. Within the first 24 hours you feel like a new person.
 

Jadesmom

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A friend of mine that does rescue had it. She was left with decreased lung function as a result. Almost an asthma like condition.
 

atvchick95

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I've never had it, But I do have a bad Immune system. I have Graves Disease(a Thyroid disorder) which also is known as a Auto Immune disorder
the way all my doctors explained it to me is my own immune system attacks it self - Nice huh? -

but even with that I hardly ever get sick. In my 34 yrs of living I've been down right sick that i can remember 2 times I had pneumonia and one time I had Bronchitis I had Bronchitis for almost a year and that was taking meds. (before i ever knew about my thyroid) I don't get the common cold often even though all winter long I'd go outside with my hair still very wet, I'd get on the bus covered in icicles

and all of that was before birds, the pneumonia I got my Jr. Yr of high school right before Prom or home coming i forget which (still went was better by the time it came)

The bronchitis was back in 03
 

Thugluvgrl187

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Interesting info :)
 

jmfleish

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I was treated for it last winter but knew I didn't have it...they were grasping at straws in my situation.

I've known other people to have it as well and it doesn't sound like much fun and takes a lot of time to recover from. I think the hardest part of psitt is that doctors often don't even think to look for it and you can die if you aren't treated. Survival rate is near 100% if you're diagnosed in time. That's why it's so important to know the symptoms and tell your doctors that you have birds, so it doesn't get overlooked if you ever become ill and they can't diagnose it.
 

MollyMouse

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However, Psittacosis has a 6 week "window period" where it won't show up in the blood. Since I've recently been very sick (again with flu symptoms), I'm having another Psittacosis blood test done.

I'm not sure how easily humans can catch it from birds though. I handle and medicate Psittacosis infected birds almost every week so I am way more susceptible to it than most people I guess.
Are you still feeling ill Kelsey??
 

chompie_puppy

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Just very, very tired. Luckily the fevers are gone! :D

I'll only get the Psittacosis results next week. I'm not really convinced I've got Psittacosis because I've read it gives you a pretty nasty cough, which I don't have at all.

I just hope we find out what's wrong soon. All the tests are costing a fortune! :eek:
 

MollyMouse

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I really hope you feel better soon.:hug8: At least you can rule it out for sure once the results are in.
 

KanaBanana

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Wow, this is the first time I hear about psittacosis....Sounds very serious.
 

Chevelle

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I know this is an old old thread, but does anyone know if psittacosis presents with head/sinus congestion? Man I've been sick since last Saturday, bad cough/fever/headaches. I have a doctors appointment later today but I'm wondering about psittacosis. I started taking antibiotics that I had on hand, was feeling better, but I ran out and am now feeling much worse. My ears are clogged and I'm like partially deaf.
 

jmfleish

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It's like having a very, very bad case of the flu. If you're going to be at the doctor's office, it never hurts to let them know that you have birds and are wondering about Psittacosis. Doctors don't generally check for it, so it's something to definitely mention.
 
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