Your pet is unlikely to make you sick, especially if you keep up with vet appointments and grooming sessions. However, some diseases, like the ones listed below, can be transferred from dogs to humans.
Giardia
Giardia is a Protozoal parasite that often spreads through contaminated drinking water. Infected humans and dogs can both serve as sources of infection. It is difficult to ensure that your dog never drinks from puddles that could contain the fecal matter of infected wildlife, but you can filter and treat water while hiking or camping, and encourage your pet to drink treated water when thirsty.
Symptoms in dogs: Diarrhea.
Symptoms in humans: Diarrhea.
Roundworm
Since roundworm is zoonotic, it can cause severe skin and ocular lesions in infected humans. High rates of this disease occur in urban areas where population density increases the chance that children will come into contact with infected pets. Because of excellent hygiene and parasite control for dogs, you might not hear about many cases like this. Still, washing your hands with soap and water after handling dog feces is a good way to protect yourself from possible contamination.
Symptoms in pets: Coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, constipation, and visible worms in stool.
Symptoms in humans: Abdominal pain, cough, blood in the stool, and shortness of breath.
Ringworm
Ringworm or Dermatophytosis is a fungal infection that can affect your skin. It is seen in cats and dogs, although most cat carriers do not display symptoms.
Symptoms in pets: Patches of hair loss with a red center and skin lesions.
Symptoms in people: Red, round patches on your skin.
Rabies
Rabies is a viral infection that can spread through contact with infected animals or saliva. Most people who have contracted the disease do not survive once its symptoms appear. If you are bitten by a dog that is not vaccinated or has an unknown vaccination status, it is important to report the incident to your local health department.
Symptoms in pets: Seizures, inability to swallow, frothy saliva, fever, excessive salivation, dropped jaw, muscular lack of coordination, or change in bark tone.
Symptoms in humans: Fatigue, anxiety, chills, a body temperature of 100.4ºF, headache, vomiting, problems sleeping, sore throat, lack of appetite, or irritability.
Many of those who contract this virus experience pain and a tingling sensation in the affected area.
