What are the symptoms of psittacosis and when do they appear? In humans, the symptoms are fever, headache, chills, muscle pains, cough, and sometimes breathing difficulty or pneumonia. If left untreated, the disease can be severe, and even result in death, especially in older people.
How do humans get psittacosis?
Psittacosis (also known as ornithosis) is a disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, carried by birds. Humans most commonly catch the disease by inhaling dust containing feathers, secretions and droppings from infected birds. Older people generally experience more severe illness.
How long does human psittacosis last?
Psittacosis is diagnosed with blood tests and chest x-rays. Treatment includes antibiotics. The symptoms usually ease within one day, but the full course of tablets needs to be taken.
What is the treatment for psittacosis?
Antibiotic therapy is the primary treatment for individuals with psittacosis. Tetracycline and doxycycline are usually the first medications used. Most individuals respond within 24 to 72 hours. Erythromycin may be recommended for children or pregnant women.
Does psittacosis go away?
Treatment. Thankfully, there is a treatment for psittacosis. Since birds cannot safely take the same kinds of antibiotics as other animals, your bird's veterinarian will likely prescribe doxycycline, an antibiotic in the tetracycline class of drugs, for 45 days to treat the disease through all stages.
More useful articles on a similar topic 👇
Can you get sick from a bird feeder?How long does it take for psittacosis to show up in birds?
