Can feline herpesvirus infect humans?
Under normal circumstances, feline herpesvirus primarily infects feline animals and typically does not transmit to humans. However, individuals with extremely weakened immune systems may face a very small risk of mild infection. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Feline herpesvirus exhibits strong host specificity, mainly affecting cats. The virus finds it difficult to overcome the human immune system. Most healthy individuals will not develop infection symptoms after contact with infected cats. Even in rare cases where mild eye discomfort or skin itching occurs, these are generally transient reactions that resolve spontaneously and do not lead to severe infection. It should be noted that feline herpesvirus and human herpesvirus are different types of viruses with no direct connection, and they should not be confused. Only individuals with severely compromised immune systems may experience very rare cases of mild infection after exposure to infected cats due to weakened immune defenses.
In daily life, after contact with an infected cat, hands should be washed promptly with soap and running water. Chlorine-based disinfectants can be used to clean the cat's belongings. When caring for an infected cat and close contact is necessary, wearing a mask and gloves is recommended. Additionally, maintaining regular作息 patterns and engaging in moderate exercise to enhance immunity can help alleviate concerns about viral transmission.