Dog or Cat Owners Mostly Infected with Mild or No Symptoms of New Type Coronavirus

Household pet owners, particularly those with dogs or cats, mostly experience mild or no symptoms when infected with the new type of coronavirus. This statement was made by Polish doctor Sabina Oleks-Kondor, who works at one of the hospitals in Madrid. According to yerkir.am, the information was reported by med.obozrevatel.com.

The doctor's opinion is based on a study conducted on a group of 100 patients. Sabina Oleks-Kondor suggests that constant contact with animal hair, saliva, and excrement strengthens their owners' immunity against various pathogens. "This issue requires further discussion; however, there is a suggestion that we may be dealing with a stronger immunity and a more efficient immune system due to exposure to coronaviruses typical among domestic animals," the doctor noted.

She has observed a similar trend among doctors, particularly among those who keep cats at home. One of the explanations put forward by pet lovers for their resilience to the coronavirus is cross-reactive immunity. "It is known that, for example, cats carry feline coronavirus, which does not infect humans. It is possible that humans who have daily close contact with cats may develop antibodies against feline coronavirus, and these antibodies could destroy the human virus. This is referred to as cross-reactivity and exists in nature. Of course, deeper research and statistics are needed to confirm my assumptions," the doctor emphasized.