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!
Mom used to feed hers on the kitchen counter, disgusting.