Can I catch a primate disease by touching something the primate touched?

[YoungMan85]

I work at a zoo.  The other day I accidentally brushed a branch that a zoo animal had likely chewed (possibly a gorilla) against my lips while loading it onto a truck.  The past two days I've had some pain in my stomach after eating, and now my breath smells like the gorilla exhibit.  Keep in mind that the breath just started to smell like that today, and the contact would have been 3 or 4 days ago.

Is it possible to catch a primate disease in this way?  I washed off my lips with hand soap and water as soon as I could (maybe 15-20 minutes after), but I'm concerned that maybe this is why my stomach has been acting up and, as crazy as it sounds, why my breath might be smelling like the gorilla exhibit.

Thanks for your help!

[YoungMan85]

Thanks for your reply!  The breath has since gone away, although my stomach still bothers me after eating.  However, I'm sure that's unrelated.

-Andrew

[Bridget A. Hewitt, RN]

HI and thanks for using the forum.

I am honestly not sure about the answer to your question.  I would think that since you did not have an open cut/scratch on your face from the branch, chances are that the symptoms you are having are probably not related.  My best advice would be that if your symptoms persist, see your doctor.  I feel that more than likely, you would not get anything from this exposure.  Good luck.

Bridget