Bacteria to Illness

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

Alright, heres the story guys...I own 5 reptiles. One of the five stinks. That'd be the beardie. She's got a clean cage, but the cage just smells. So I've decided to change the substrate, and possibly build her another enclosure. I come to you to ask if theres anyway that the smell can make me ill? I've been sick since October basically, and now I have some type of stomach thing, where I'm constantly nausiated. So I thought, before I start building her another enclosure and such, could this be the cause of my illness? Thanks.

[chas*e]

There are very few reptile diseases that are zoonotic(animal to human) but bacteria is another thing altogether. Bacteria is not species specific and as a result may cause pathogenic reactions in anything that it contacts....ie...health problems for humans. You should go to a doctor and tell him that you have reptiles and the symptoms that you are having. It is known that many food items that reptiles consume have disease causing bacteria and parasites that can effect humans....To rid your enclosures/water bowls of smell..spray a disinfectant with dilluted bleach solution.....I hope everything goes well.

[Neo]

and molds and fungi can grow. what substrate is it on? some substrates house fungi more than others

[scalawag]

I feel your pain... literally. I have 5 herps and volunteer at the zoo so I handle lots of reptile and clean lots of cages. I've had constant nausia and a lower GI increase in activity if you get my drift. About 3 weeks now. I'm assuming salmonella but haven't been to a dr yet. That's probably tomorrow. Not horrible but very, very uncomfortable. Hope you feel better. If you get a diagnosis, let us know.

[Boid_22]

If you are sick GO TO THE DOCTOR ..a case of Salmonella or same, is a serious and sometimes fatal condition...

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

AH thanks guys...But I went to the doctor about a week prior and had blood work done. Would they have seen Salmonella? I know they looked for mono and such, but I'm not sure if thats what they would look for. She is on that walnut shell sand..The finely crushed walnut shells (Can't think of the name). I will surely let you guys know, thanks for the input!

[scalawag]

Salmonella is diagnosed through fecal analysis and is usually not diagnosed. It really isn't that big a deal unless you are very young, very old or have an imunodefecient problem. It usually goes away, only requiring supportive measures, ie. tylenol etc. Symptoms usually go away in 7 -10 days. How are YOU feeling.

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

Well, its kinda wierd that you say that because I just sent in my 'stool sample' cards. Pretty gross, but hopefully they do the trick. Im just tired a lot, nausia, headaches. I dunno what else it could be, and I've had it for 2-3 weeks. Its a little more harsh in the mornings and evenings.
ADDED: Maybe it IS a fungal type of thing, so my dad and I just got back from Home Depot with materials for a cage! 4'x2'x16" for the beardie. Its plywood on top, bottom, and sides, with a hardwood back, and a Plexiglass front. We got silicone and WATERPROOFING this time. Last cage wasn't sealed or waterproofed. So hopefully this does the trick!