Public Health Concerns

[3KillerBs]

My prayers for your relative who was attacked.

 

[valereee]

We don't register our cats -- they're indoor animals only. But that doesn't mean they don't carry histo. They very well might, and I've always assumed they do. It's why hubby took over kitty KP during each of my pregnancies -- and why my OB/GYN asked if we had cats when I told her we were planning to get pregnant. I've lived around cats all my life and no doubt have had the virus. I'm sure both my kids have, too, especially my daughter whose cat sleeps under the covers with her. But the next person who buys my house might never know I had cats or a dog. (The dog is registered, of course.) And of course if they asked, we would tell them that we do have cats, same as if we'd tell them if we had chickens. If you're immunocompromised and living in an area where histo is endemic, I think it's probably more incumbent on you to ask the question than it is on me to provide the answer to all such possible questions. I do certainly agree that people need to be aware that chickens, like dogs and cats, carry histo and that precautions should be taken by pregnant or immunocompromised individuals. Probably the medical community needs to be aware of this so they can add "...or chickens" to "Do you have any cats?" when they discuss sensible precautions with their pregnant or immunocompromised patients.

Quote:
PS -- I think you're doing fine in the communication department. Don't let it worry you -- it's as much our responsibility to take you the right way as it is yours to present yourself the right way.

 

[lngrid]

Thank you for your prayers, the suggestion about the Long-Term Ombudsman and for your PMs.

Dealing with that circumstance is a profound energy drain and I find I don't have enough extra to maintain this discussion. It's really too bad, because some very good points were brought up. But I'm just too tired. I was actually only drawing it out for the sake of future readers who might come across this thread through a search. My own issue is solved since Histoplasmosis doesn't survive where I live. I'd like to thank you all for engaging with me in an intelligent conversation that brought different viewpoints onto the table while maintaining the spirit of what BYC is meant to be. I learned to think of some things in new ways because of you. I hope future readers will, too.

This discussion is in no way closed, though. If you have a perspective to add, please do it.