You may want to tell your friends and family about the need for these precautions before you plan any visits. In handling pets, the same precautions apply for children as for adults. Moreover, children may want to snuggle more with their pets. Adults should be extra watchful and supervise an HIV- infected child's handwashing to prevent the possible spread of infections. Studies have shown that owning a pet can be rewarding.
Pets can help a sick person feel psychologically and even physically better.
If a pet gives you pleasure, with common sense precautions, the benefits usually outweigh the risks. To obtain hard copies of this brochure, please contact the CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse. This document was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .