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HIV/AIDS and influenza
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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HIV (which stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus ) is the virus that causes the terrible disease AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV kills or damages immune cells in the body, gradually destroying its ability to fight infection and some cancers. More than 1 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. How does the flu affect people with HIV/AIDS?
Read also: HIV/AIDS and the common cold: the degree of danger
Increased risk for people with HIV/AIDS
People with HIV/AIDS have an increased risk of flu-related complications. Studies show an increased risk of heart and lung disease and hospitalizations in HIV-infected people during flu season - compared to other times of the year - and a higher risk of death in HIV-infected people who get the flu.
Other studies have shown that flu symptoms can last much longer than usual (more than a week) and the risk of flu-related complications is twice as high for HIV-infected people. To help build an immune response against flu viruses, doctors recommend vaccination in some HIV-infected people. It should be done annually.
Can people with HIV/AIDS receive inactivated flu vaccine?
Because people with HIV/AIDS are at increased risk for serious flu-related complications, they should receive the inactivated flu vaccine. People with long-standing HIV disease may have a poor immune response to the vaccine.
Thus, pre-treatment chemoprophylaxis (use of antiviral drugs to prevent influenza) for these patients may be quite effective.
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Are there people with HIV/AIDS who should not receive the inactivated influenza vaccine?
Contraindications for the use of inactivated flu vaccine in people with HIV/AIDS are the same as for people without HIV/AIDS. But it is very important not to use the flu vaccine without first consulting a doctor. These are people at risk, including:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
- People who have had severe reactions to influenza vaccination.
- Children under 6 months of age (influenza vaccines are not recommended for this age group)
- People with acute illnesses, including inflammation and high fever (they should wait at least two weeks to recover before getting vaccinated).
- People with Guillain-Barré syndrome (a severe paralytic disease).
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any chronic medical conditions – he or she will help you decide whether you can get a flu shot.
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Can people with HIV/AIDS use the nasal spray flu vaccine?
People with HIV/AIDS or other medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease ) are not recommended to take the nasal spray, which contains a weakened form of the live flu virus. It is only intended for use in healthy children and adults 2 to 49 years of age and women who are not pregnant.
Can people with HIV/AIDS use antiviral drugs?
It is important to use antiviral drugs early to treat flu in people who are very sick with the flu (such as those who are hospitalized) and in people who are at risk for serious complications from flu, such as people with HIV/AIDS.
Studies have shown that antiviral drugs are most effective in treating the flu if they are started within 2 days of illness onset. There may be benefits to using them even after 2 days, especially if the person is at higher risk for serious complications from the flu. Or if the person has certain symptoms (such as difficulty breathing, chest pain /pressure, dizziness, or confusion). Or if the person is in the hospital because of the flu.
When should people with HIV/AIDS take antiviral drugs for influenza chemoprophylaxis?
People with HIV/AIDS should be given antiviral medications to prevent influenza when they cannot otherwise protect themselves during the flu season. Of course, this should be done under the advice of a doctor.
Regarding the treatment of influenza, there are no published data yet on the use of anti-influenza agents such as amantidine and rimantadine in HIV-infected individuals. The possibility of adverse reactions to anti-influenza chemoprophylaxis agents, especially in neurological diseases or renal failure, should first be examined.
So, people with HIV/AIDS should be very careful in using any anti-flu medications. But the most important thing is to see a doctor as soon as symptoms appear.