Q: Could I have been infected with HIV by a cat or dog? Can I infect my cat or dog?
A: No. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) only infects humans and other primates. It cannot be spread to or from dogs, cats, birds, fish, or reptiles.
Q: I've had pets all my life and never had any problems. Why should I be worried now that I am infected with HIV?
A: Pets can carry zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases can be spread from people to animals or from animals to people. If your resistance is low, you are more susceptible to these diseases. The good news is that you can minimize your risk by working with your veterinarian to test, medicate, and properly care for your pet.
Q: Can my friends get HIV infection by playing with my dog, cat, or bird, or by helping me take care of them?
A: No. There is no evidence to suggest that dogs, cats, or birds can carry or transmit HIV to people.
Q: Just how dangerous is it for me to own a pet?
A: HIV-infected individuals contract zoonotic infections more often from contaminated food, water, soil, or even other people, than they do from pets. Thus, for you, the advantages of pet ownership may far outweigh the risks. You will want to gather as much information as you can, so that you can make the decision that is best for you and your pet.
Q: I don't yet have a pet. What should I look for?
A: New pets present a risk because they may come to you with little or no health history. You must take extra precautions. A veterinarian should examine all new pets for parasites and other diseases transmissible to people. Be especially careful with puppies, kittens, and reptiles, which are more likely to carry infections; adopting an adult pet may be a safer option. For your pet's sake, select an animal whose energy level and exercise requirements match your exercise requirements and abilities.
Q: What other precautions should I take?
A: It is best to avoid contact with all sick animals, especially those with diarrhea. You should also avoid stray, exotic and wild animals, reptiles, and monkeys, and find someone who can, at a moments notice, help care for your pet.
From Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine
and The Humane Society of the United States, 1995.
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