I'm assuming you are refering to IBD (inclusion body disease). It is believed to be a retrovirus that may be passed by mites. It is common in boids that sit in infected distributor warehouses for any substantial length of time. It will usually kill BPs in a couple months, and juvenile boas usually succumb fairly quickly as well. Adult boas are the ones that can be asymptomatic for a long time. If you got your snake from a good breeder, or even a trusted dealer, you really don't have much to worry about. If however, you got it from PetCo, be careful......

Also, don't listen to your Dad on the housing issue, house them seperately.

-Evan