LITTLE CHAOS

Small animals like turtles, iguanas and frogs are often chosen as first-time pets for children because they are easy to interact with and low maintenance for busy households.

While they can be fun, it may be best to avoid them.

“Reptiles and amphibians can carry germs that make people sick, the most common of which is the salmonella bacteria,” says Dr. Elizabeth Hohmann, an infectious-disease expert with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. “These animals live in warm and wet environments where salmonella thrives.”

Outbreaks of illness across the US

Reptiles and amphibians often carry salmonella in their digestive tracts, although the bacteria don’t affect them.

The risk of illness from these pets became so severe this year that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned about adopting tiny pet turtles after reported outbreaks of salmonella illnesses and hospitalizations in 24 states.

Other small pets such as mice or hamsters, and farm animals like chickens, may also carry and spread the bacteria.

How are the bacteria transferred from pets to children and adults?

People become exposed to salmonella through physical contact with the animals, their droppings, food, items like toys or food dishes, and habitats such as cages, tanks, aquariums and water.

“They get the bacteria on their hands and then inadvertently touch their mouths or nose,” says Hohmann. This is especially likely in younger children.

Once exposed to the bacteria, people can get an infection called salmonellosis.

Who is more likely to get sick?

Anyone can get salmonellosis, but children younger than age 5, adults 65 and older, and people with chronic conditions are at higher risk for severe illness and even hospitalization.

“Kids that are very young don’t always follow proper personal hygiene or understand safety protocol when handling these animals,” says Hohmann. “Older adults and people with chronic conditions like diabetes can have weakened immune systems that make them more susceptible to illnesses.”

In the most serious cases, the bacteria can reach the bloodstream and from there infect other places within the body.

What are the symptoms of this infection?

The hallmarks are diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. These symptoms usually appear within six hours to four days after infection and last four to seven days.

Call your primary care provider for advice if you have a pet that potentially carries salmonella.

When should you seek immediate medical care?

Seek medical care immediately if you or your child has any of these severe symptoms:

■ Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 F.

■ Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving.

■ So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down.

■ Signs of dehydration such as not urinating much, dry mouth and throat, or feeling dizzy when standing up.

What if you already have one of these pets?

If you already have a high-risk pet, make sure everyone follows these safety steps from the CDC. Children might need frequent reminders about washing hands and playing safely.

■Wash hands. Always wash hands for at least 20 seconds with plenty of soap and warm water right after touching or feeding your pet and after handling or cleaning the area where it lives and roams. “Adults should make sure to teach young children how to wash their hands properly,” says Hohmann.

■Play safely. Don’t kiss or snuggle the pet, and don’t eat or drink around it. Keep it out of the kitchen and other areas where you eat, store or prepare food.

■Properly clean. Use cleaning materials like a wash tub, sponge and scrub that are reserved only for your pet. Always clean cages, tanks and other pet items outdoors. Avoid using a kitchen sink, as this can increase the risk of spreading germs to your food.

But perhaps the best safety advice is to simply avoid these animals as pets — or at least wait until your kids are much older, says Hohmann.

“It’s probably safer to stick with dogs and cats,” she says.