I had it when I was about 10 or 11. Dr didn't know how it happened to me, only my best friend at school had it at the same time. We were both told we definately could not go to school while the sores (boils? whatever) were apparent. We didn't feel poorly and were aloud to play together so it wasn't really so dreadful in my case. Good luck. There was no mention of any pet being responsible and I had plenty at the time.