HIV / AIDS and the flu

HIV (that is, the human immunodeficiency virus ) is a virus that causes a terrible AIDS disease (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV kills or damages the cells of the immune system in the body, gradually destroying its ability to fight infection and certain types of cancer. More than 1 million people live with HIV / AIDS in the United States. How does influenza affect people with HIV / AIDS?

Read also: HIV / AIDS and the common cold: the degree of danger

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Increased risk for people with HIV / AIDS

People with HIV / AIDS have an increased risk of influenza-related complications. Studies show an increased risk of influenza incidence for the heart and lungs, as well as hospitalizations of HIV-infected people during the influenza season - unlike other seasons, as well as a higher risk of death in HIV-infected people with flu.

Other studies have shown that the flu symptoms can last much longer than usual (longer than a week) and the risk of flu-related complications for HIV-infected people is twice as high. To obtain an immune response against influenza viruses, in some people infected with HIV, doctors recommend vaccination. It should be annual.

Can people with HIV / AIDS use an inactivated influenza vaccine?

Since people with HIV / AIDS have an increased risk of serious, flu-related complications, they should receive an inactivated vaccine against the flu. People with long-standing HIV disease may suffer from a poor immune response to vaccination.

Thus, preliminary chemoprophylaxis (the use of antiviral drugs for the prevention of influenza) for these patients can be quite effective.

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Are there people with HIV / AIDS who are not eligible for the inactivated influenza vaccine?

Contraindications to the use of inactivated influenza 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, which include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had severe reactions to vaccination against the flu.
• Children under 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not desirable for this age group)

• People with diseases in the acute stage. Including inflammation and heat (they should wait at least two weeks until they are restored, and then vaccinated).
• People with Guillain-Barre syndrome (severe paralytic disease).

Tell your doctor if you have or have any chronic illnesses - it will help you decide if you can get a flu shot.

[9], [10], [11], [12], [13]

Can people with HIV / AIDS use a nasal spray vaccine against influenza?

People with HIV / AIDS and other diseases (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease ) are not advised to take a nasal spray that contains a weakened form of live influenza virus. It is intended only for use in healthy children and adults between 2-49 years of age and women who are not pregnant.

Can people with HIV / AIDS use antiviral drugs?

It is very important in the early stages to use antiviral drugs to treat influenza in people who are very sick with the flu (for example, those who have been hospitalized). And it is also important for people who are at risk of getting serious complications after the flu, such as people with HIV / AIDS.

Studies have shown that antiviral drugs are most effective for treating influenza if they are started to be used within 2 days after the onset of the disease. The benefits of using them can be even after two days, especially if the patient has a greater risk of serious complications after the flu. Or if the person has certain symptoms (such as shortness of breath, chest pain / chest pressure, dizziness, or confusion). Or if the person is in the hospital because of the flu.

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When should people with HIV / AIDS take antiviral drugs for chemoprophylaxis of influenza?

People with HIV / AIDS should be prescribed antiviral drugs for the prevention of influenza, when they can not otherwise protect themselves during the influenza season. Of course, you need to be guided by the doctor's recommendations.

As for the treatment of influenza, there are no published data on the use of anti-influenza agents for HIV-infected people, such as amantidine and rimantadine. First, it is necessary to check the possibility of adverse reactions to chemoprophylaxis against influenza, especially in neurological diseases or kidney failure.

So, people with HIV / AIDS should be very careful in using any means against the flu. But the most important thing is to consult a doctor right away, as soon as his symptoms appear.