Pets may create new diseases, study says

NEW YORK - Reuters

A study, conducted thousands of adults says pets can damage immune system. REUTERS photo

Tempted by the playful antics of that adorable kitten in the pet shop? If you’ve never had a cat before you may want to think again, especially if you have other allergies, researchers warn.

And if you do acquire a feline, keep it out of your bedroom.

While having a cat as a child may protect against future allergies, getting one in adulthood nearly doubles the chances of developing an immune reaction to it -- the first step towards wheezing, sneezing and itchy eyes, a European study found. The same study, which covered thousands of adults and was published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found that people with other allergies were at extra high risk of reacting to a new feline in the house. “Our data support that acquiring a cat in adulthood nearly doubles the risk of developing cat sensitization,” wrote Mario Olivieri, from the University Hospital of Verona in Italy. “Hence, cat avoidance should be considered in adults, especially in those sensitized to other allergens and reporting a history of allergic diseases.”