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Immunity and infection prevention

Animals, plants and soil

The main article (“Hand hygiene and your home”) gives the basics of protection. This topic looks at the particular risks linked to pets, plants, gardening and soil, and how to reduce them.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A cat on a windowsill and handwashing.
Figure 1.A calm cat and handwashing.

01Short answer

Pets can usually stay, and they give emotional support. To lower the risk: wash your hands after touching an animal; let someone else clean the cat litter tray, bird cage and aquarium (Toxoplasma, bacteria, fungi); avoid bites and scratches; and keep your pet’s vaccines and vet checks up to date. Reptiles, birds and young animals carry more risk, so put off getting a new pet. Soil and rotting plants are rich in mould spores and bacteria: during neutropenia avoid gardening and handling soil, and keep vases of standing water and potted plants out of the bedroom. Ask your team later about gardening with gloves.

02Simple explanation

A pet can often stay.

Litter and cages: someone else cleans them.

Soil: a source of spores.

03Scientific explanation

Zoonoses: Toxoplasma can pass via cat faeces, Salmonella via reptiles, and various germs via birds.

Soil and mould: soil, compost and rotting leaves are a major source of Aspergillus spores.

04What happens in the body?

A calm cat

A pet can stay; the key rule is washing hands after contact.

The garden can wait

During neutropenia, put off work with soil.

Gloves on a bag of soil.
Figure 2.The garden can wait.

Without water and soil

Keep standing vase water and soil out of the bedroom.

An empty vase and dry stems.
Figure 3.Decor without water or soil.

05Safe with animals and soil

Four steps.

Hands — Wash them.1HandsWash them.
Litter — Someone else cleans it.2LitterSomeone else cleans it.
Soil — Avoid it.3SoilAvoid it.
Plants — Out of the room.4PlantsOut of the room.

06Risks and measures

SourceMeasure
Cat litter trayAnother person, with gloves
Bird cage, aquariumSomeone else cleans them
ReptilesAvoid contact
Garden soil, compostAvoid during neutropenia
Vase water, house plantsOut of the bedroom

07Key terms

Zoonosis
An infection passing from animal to human.
Toxoplasma
A parasite that can pass via cat faeces.
Compost
Rotted plant material.
Spore
A reproductive particle of a fungus.
Vet
A doctor for animals.

08Key points

  • A pet can often stay.
  • Wash your hands after contact.
  • Someone else cleans litter and cages.
  • Put off a new pet.
  • Do not handle soil.
  • Report bites and scratches.

09Frequently asked questions

Can I walk my dog?

Usually yes; wash your hands afterwards and let someone else pick up after it.

Can I sleep with my pet?

Not advised during neutropenia; ask your team.

When can I garden again?

When your immunity recovers, with gloves; your team will say (“Recovery of immunity”).

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Can I walk my dog?

  2. Can I sleep with my pet?

  3. When can I garden again?

My questions

12Sources

  1. American Cancer Society. Infections in People with Cancer
  2. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  3. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Fungal Infections
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About RSV
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hepatitis B Basics
  7. World Health Organization (WHO). Hepatitis B (fact sheet)
  8. Annals of Hematology (AGIHO/DGHO), 2022. Management of herpesvirus reactivations in patients with solid tumours and hematologic malignancies: update of the Guidelines of the AGIHO
  9. Lancet Infectious Diseases (ECIL 7), 2019. Guidelines for the management of cytomegalovirus infection in patients with haematological malignancies and after stem cell transplantation
  10. New England Journal of Medicine, 2017. Letermovir Prophylaxis for Cytomegalovirus in Hematopoietic-Cell Transplantation
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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