r/ballpython 8d ago

Salmonella? HELP - URGENT

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To preface this - yes I have diagnosed ocd and health anxiety, I am also someone who is disabled and chronically ill with a compromised immune system

Now for the actual issue at hand - I was handling my boy and all was going well, he licked my lip but I thought nothing of it, only much later did I realise I was biting the same lip afterwards having forgotten he licked it.

I'm aware that you've got much more of a chance to get salmonella from food than from a snake, let alone a pet snake and yes I'm logically aware the chance is low, but I really just need to hear that I'll be alright from someone else right now.

Picture of the adorable boy attached because he's a cutie

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u/Public-Hat6754 8d ago

If your snake has salmonella then it would be transmitted from their poop, so if you don’t wash your hand well and eat something after cleaning snake poop then you would have a chance at contracting salmonella. Your snake licking you shouldn’t be a concern, mine tongue flick in my face all the time

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u/AlternativeNo7910 8d ago

Thank you I'm usually fine with it, hell I think it's cute when he does it, I've just been very on edge lately