If you are sick

[robbrouse]

Not sure if this is the right place if not please forgive.

Ok, you have a cold and or flu.. Is it safe to do your weekly maintenance? you you spread germs to your finned friends? I have thought about this and have wondered so I thought I'd ask.

I do most of the work myself on my tank and if I get sick is it ok to sick my hands in the water. Would it harm the fish and coral. Would I be more at risk getting sicker if I'm under the weather?

Just pondering and looking for input. And yes I have the flu right now.

 

[Tahoe61]

If you feel up to it go ahead and do your aquarium maintanence. You will not spread virus or bacteria to your fish.

 

[robbrouse]

Thats what I was hoping to hear. Something I have wondered for years. Always did it anyways but thought about it today and thought I'd ask.

 

[Tahoe61]

No you're safe. Very very few bacteria can be exchanged between different host types (fish vs humans), virus I would not even give a second thought to. Mycobacterium, fish Tuberculosis is really the only one I can think of.

 

[Eienna]

What I would worry about more is soap residue on your hands, because you're supposed to wash more often.

 

[robbrouse]

Eienna good point.. Not sure if it matter I always wash my hands with sick my hand in the tank anyway.

 

[MondoBongo]

i personally don't worry about working in the tank while i am sick, what i do watch out for is any kind of open wound.

our tanks are essentially petrie dishes, sometimes containing bacteria like Vibrio and M. marinus. but as long as you don't have an open wound that the bacteria can enter through, or a suppressed immune system, and wash your hands well, it shouldn't be an issue.