Is there cat HIV? 0 7

Yes, cats can get sick, but this virus does not pose a danger to humans.

Cats have their own virus that attacks the immune system — feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), explained veterinarian Anna BESPALOVA. Since the virus affects the immune system, symptoms only manifest after infection with a secondary infection. In most cases, FIV is asymptomatic. An animal can live a full life for 10–15 years while being a carrier of the virus and die from a completely different cause.

However, there are cats in which FIV develops more aggressively, which can lead to bone marrow damage, the onset of various cancers, a decrease in immunity, and the development of chronic diseases. FIV is usually transmitted through bites. Aggressive males are most often infected during outdoor activities. The virus can also be transmitted from a mother cat to her kittens.