Q and A

Question

Am I more at risk of swine flu because I am HIV-positive?

I am a flight attendant on international flights and I am HIV-positive as is my partner. I am not on meds, He is on Sustiva+Truvada.

My question is am I more at risk of getting Swine flu because of my HIV status and if so would it be worse, I also fear I may pick it up and pass it onto my partner. We have both had flu jabs last November.

I travel to all the affected areas, although I am not due to go to the states again until the end of may. any advice you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time and this excellent resource.

Answer

Hi

This is a subject that is changing daily. Currently cases are low and the hope is that this particular ‘flu virus does not spread further.

HIV-positive are generally only at a higher risk from flu if their CD4 count is low. If you and you partner have CD4 counts over 350 and certainly if over 500, this is considered a ‘normal’ level and so risk are similar.

Although it is recommend for HIV-positive people to have a flu vaccination each year, this will not offer protection against the new version of swine flu.

If cases remain low and this virus is contained you shouldn’t worry, but routine precautions against catching flu will limit your chance of catching any virus.

These include:

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