Preventing Infections from Pets

People who are suffering from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can and should keep their pets if they own any. Pets can often help you feel psychologically and even physically better.  This article provides some precautions to take when dealing with pets, as well as dispells some myths that may be out there regarding HIV positive people.

Pets are more than just animals for many people — they are often considered members of the family. However, the health risks associated with owning a pet or caring for animals should still be kept in consideration. Pets are animals, meaning they may still carry infections that can potentially be harmful to you. Your decision to own or care for pets should be based on knowing what you need to do in order to protect yourself from these potential infections.

Animals can have Cryptosporidiosis ("Crypto"), Toxoplasmosis ("Toxo"), Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC), and various other diseases. Severe diarrhea, brain infections, and skin lesions are just a few of the problems that these diseases can give you if you are not careful. This article details more about many of these diseases and how to prevent them.  There is also a list of these diseases that may prove helpful when doing your initial research.

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