My job involves working with Are there any tests a pet should animals. Can I keep my job? have before I bring it home?

Jobs working with animals (such as A pet should be in overall good health. You jobs in pet stores, animal clinics, farms, don’t need special tests unless the animal has and slaughterhouses) carry a risk for diarrhea or looks sick. If your pet looks sick, infections. Talk with your doctor about your veterinarian can help you choose the whether you should work with animals. tests it needs. People who work with animals should take these extra precautions: What should I do when visiting friends or relatives with pets? • Follow your worksite’s rules to stay safe and reduce risk of infection. When you visit anyone with pets, take the Wear personal protective gear, such same precautions you would in your own as coveralls, boots, and gloves. home. Don’t handle animals that may not Pets as Companions be healthy. Consider telling your friends and family about the need for these precautions for Those with HIV before you plan any visits. • Yes! You can keep your pets. Should children with HIV handle pets? • Take a few simple precautions to prevent infections from pets or other The same precautions apply for children as animals. for adults. However, children may want to • While cute, avoid handling young snuggle more with their pets. Some pets, like farm animals, especially if they have cats, may bite or scratch to get away from • HIV can not be spread by, or to, cats, diarrhea. children. Adults should be extra watchful dogs, birds, or other pets. and supervise an HIV-infected child’s hand Can someone with HIV give it washing to prevent infection. Should I keep my pets? to their pets? Yes. Most people with human No. HIV can not be spread to, from, or immunodefi ciency virus (HIV) can and by cats, dogs, birds, or other pets. Many should keep their pets. Having a pet in your viruses cause diseases that are like AIDS, life can be rewarding. Pets can help you such as feline leukemia virus, or FeLV, feel psychologically and physically better. in cats. These viruses cause illness only For many people, pets are more than just in a certain animal and cannot infect animals — they are members of the family. other animals or humans. For example, For more information: However, you should know the health risks FeLV infects only cats. It does not infect of owning a pet or caring for animals. humans or dogs. Animals may carry infections that may be harmful to you. Your decision to own or care for pets should be based on knowing the things which can protect yourself from these infections. What kinds of infections could I • Animals with diarrhea may need • Your pet knows you care for it, but get from an animal? medical attention. If the diarrhea lasts avoid letting your pet lick your mouth, for more than 1 or 2 days, take your open cuts or wounds. Animals can carry bacteria, parasites pet to your veterinarian and ask him and fungal infections that can cause or her to check for infections or other • Trim their nails on a regular basis. illnesses like cryptosporidiosis (“crypto”), conditions that may cause diarrhea. toxoplasmosis (“toxo”), cat scratch disease, • Show your love for your pet by • rat bite fever, ringworm and other diseases. Look for healthy pets that are at least holding it and speaking to it gently, These diseases can cause problems like 6 months old. If you are getting a however don’t kiss your pet. severe diarrhea, brain infections, and skin pet from a pet store, animal breeder, lesions even among those without HIV. or animal shelter (pound), check the • Help your pets stay healthy, by sanitary conditions and license of these ensuring they do not have fl eas. Fleas How can I protect myself from sources. If you are not sure about can carry cat scratch disease. infections spread by animals? the animal’s health, take it to your veterinarian. • Reptiles such as snakes, lizards, and Soap and water, and a little common sense turtles are not the best choices for are your best allies in keeping yourself • Stray animals can carry many infections those with HIV because they carry healthy. that can affect even those without HIV. Salmonella. If you touch any reptile, Follow your common sense. Do not immediately wash your hands well • handle stray or feral animals because Always wash your hands well with with soap and water. soap and water after playing with or you could get scratched or bitten.* caring for animals—especially before eating or handling food. • Animal droppings (stool) may contain bacteria that can harm your health and that of your pet. Don’t ever handle the stool of any animal or allow your pets to hunt or eat another animal’s droppings.

• Ask someone who is not infected with HIV or pregnant to change your cat’s • litter box daily. If you do it yourself, Exotic pets such as monkeys, and ferrets, or wild animals such as • Protect your pet’s health by only wear vinyl or household cleaning gloves raccoons, lions, bats, and skunks are feeding it pet food or cooking all and immediately wash your hands well not the best pet choices. meat thoroughly so it isn’t eating with soap and water. raw or undercooked meat. Raw diets increase the risk of Salmonella and • Wear vinyl or household cleaning Campylobacter infection. gloves when you clean aquariums or animal cages and wash your hands well right after you fi nish. • Give your pet plenty of fresh water so that it won’t be tempted to drink from *If you are bitten, you should seek medical advice. toilet bowls or stagnant water.