My mother's cat bit her hand about 10 years ago, she nearly died from the infection as well. I was not happy with that cat, and not really sad when it died a few years later. Thankfully mom is still around, will be 90 in a few months, and no more cats. I am allergic to them too, so would never have one, and sure as hell never tolerate them on my dinner table or my countertops, hell no!