Careful oral examinations and a dentist familiar with the patient's HIV status can help identify early thrush and other abnormal lesions. Hobbies Gardening and other hobbies that result in frequent soil contact may warrant extra education efforts because of the potential for exposure to organisms that can cause opportunistic infections. The psychologic benefits of living with pets must be kept in mind. Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted from cat feces via air. Cats kept indoors are less likely to acquire the disease.
Cat fleas can spread bartonella.
Birds can harbor disease although, if they have gone through U.S. Customs, they are generally disease-free. Patients with HIV should avoid bird droppings. Pigeon droppings may carry cryptococcus. Patients should wear rubber gloves when cleaning fish bowls to avoid exposure to Mycobacterium marinium. Patients should avoid contact with pets that have diarrhea or that are less than six months old.