But with proper care and understanding, pet owners infected with HIV may be able to live with their animals longer than they first imagined. In fact, if the pet is healthy and behaves appropriately, the potential human health risks of pet companionship have been shown to be minimal. Both the person's physician and the pet's veterinarian should be consulted in order to explore all option s before making the individually appropriate decision. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus only infects human and other primates and, therefore, cannot be spread from or to dogs, cats, or even birds, fish , or reptiles. I've had pets all my life and never had any problems.
Pets can carry zoonotic infections, that is, infections that are shared by people and pets.
Because your resistance is low, you are more susceptible to these diseases now. But the good news is that you can minimize your risk by working with your veterinarian to test, medicate and care appropriately for your pet. HIV-infected individuals contract zoonotic infections more often from contaminated food, water, soil, or even other people than from pets. Thus, for you, the advantages of pet ownership may far outweigh the risks. There is no evidence to suggest that dogs, cats, or birds can carry or transmit HIV to people.