Other Preventive Actions For People With Living With Hiv
In addition to getting a flu shot every year, people living with HIV should take the same everyday preventive actions CDC recommends of everyone, including avoiding people who are sick, covering coughs, and washing hands often.
Information And Support For People Living With Hiv
HIV Ireland
HIV Ireland continues to offer community support and outreach services for people living with HIV. You can contact the HIV Ireland Community Support Team on 01 8733799 or email
Positive Now All Ireland Network
If you would like to speak to someone living with HIV for support or information you can contact Positive Now Tel: 089 418 8533 or email .
When To Get The Flu Jab:
The influenza vaccine protects against different strains of flu each season, so you will need to get one every year.
Doctors recommend that you get your shot between September and early November, but it can still be beneficial to get vaccinated until March.
You should also get a flu shot before you travel to certain countries.
You can get your flu jab through your GP and some pharmacies.
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Flu & People Living With Hiv
People with HIV are at high risk of serious influenza-related complications.
Human immunodeficiency virus is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome . HIV attacks cells in the bodys immune system called CD4 cells and, if untreated, gradually destroys the bodys ability to fight infection and certain cancers. CDC estimates that about 1.1 million people in the United States aged 13 years and older were living with HIV at the end of 2016, the most recent year for which this information is available.
People with HIV are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications, especially those who have a very low CD4 cell count or who are not taking medicine to treat HIV . Studies done before routine use of antiretroviral therapy suggested an increased risk for heart- and lung-related hospitalizations in people with HIVexternal icon during flu season as opposed to other times of the year. Other studies have indicated that flu symptoms might be prolonged and the risk of flu-related complications and prolonged flu virus sheddingexternal icon is higher for certain people living with HIV.
This page addresses recommendations related to flu shots for people with HIV and the use of influenza antiviral drugs in people living with HIV.
Travelling Safely With Hiv
Because of the lowered immune response, vaccinations can be less effective in people living with HIV. To counter that effect:
- higher or more frequent vaccine doses might be recommended,
- more frequent boosters might be needed in case of previously vaccinated travelers,
- other safety measures – like washing hands, taking care of water sanitation and food safety, preventing insect bites and taking anti-malaria tablets become more important.
Always research your destination well ahead of travelling there are unique risks to some corners of the globe and recommended safety measures change all the time.
There are no known interactions between vaccines and HIV medication.
If you’re not sure if you should get yourself immunised before travelling, you can always start by calling THT Direct on 0808 802 1221 for free advice.
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Is There A Vaccine Against Hiv
Testing is underway on experimental vaccines to prevent and treat HIV, but no HIV vaccines have been approved for use outside of clinical trials. For more information about experimental HIV vaccines, read the HIVinfo fact sheets What is a Preventive HIV Vaccine? and What is a Therapeutic HIV Vaccine?
Even though there are no vaccines to prevent or treat HIV, people with HIV can benefit from vaccines against other diseases.
Myth: A Person Must Be Hiv
Fact: This is false. The vaccines being tested by the HVTN are preventive vaccines. They must be tested on volunteers who are not infected with HIV, because our goal is to keep people that way. There are other research groups that are conducting studies of therapeutic vaccines that might be used in people who are already infected with HIV.
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Coronavirus Disease : Covid
Many of the COVID-19 vaccines studies have included a small number of people living with HIV in their trials. Despite limited data, available information suggests current WHO recommended COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people living with HIV. The currently available vaccine products are not live vaccines, they include genetic material from SARS-CoV-2 which cannot replicate. Therefore, these vaccines are not expected to be less safe in people who are immunocompromised. In addition to this, no pharmacological interactions have been reported between COVID-19 vaccines and antiretroviral medications which people living with HIV should continue to take after vaccination to maintain health.
WHO recommends that countries refer to the WHO SAGE Roadmap For Prioritizing Uses Of COVID-19 Vaccines In The Context Of Limited Supply which was created under the assumption that there would not be substantive differences in vaccine efficacy among subgroups . Therefore, countries can make plans for people to receive the vaccine in order of priority based on their age, health, occupation and other factors such as people in living in care or residential homes, or closed settings such as prisons.
Myth: Western Scientists Are Unfairly Using People In Developing Countries To Test Hiv Vaccines
Fact: In order to find a vaccine that works in all kinds of people, it is necessary to test them in all kinds of people. This is especially true for groups of people that have been hardest hit by the HIV epidemic and who might benefit the most from a vaccine, such as those who live in sub-Saharan Africa. Protecting the well-being of study volunteers is the greatest responsibility in every study, and the HVTN works to make sure that studies follow the highest ethical standards and are done in collaboration with local scientists and researchers, and in consultation with local communities. Many studies are done in the US, Europe, and developing countries at the same time, and we follow the same procedures and international standards no matter where the study takes place.
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Covid Vaccine Hiv Sub
The same rigorous procedures applied to the HIV sub-study Im taking part in. I noticed a news item about it on aidsmap.com and immediately phoned the clinic conducting the trial. The process, although very friendly and relaxed, was rigorous from the outset and provided reassurance about the integrity and high ethical standards of the study I was about to sign up to.
Find out more: COVID-19 vaccines for people with HIV
A nurse asked me some questions to see if I was eligible to take part . An appointment was then arranged for a ‘screening visit’ at the study clinic with one of the research doctors.
This lasted about an hour and a half. I had a physical examination and answered a seemingly endless set of questions about my health and medical history to make sure I really was eligible to take part in the study. The doctor then explained how the vaccine worked using a deactivated, harmless portion of the coronavirus to stimulate an immune response. The potential side effects were also explained: the main ones are pain at the injection site and feeling fluey for a day or two after being jabbed.
The doctor also provided detailed information about the reason the study was temporarily paused in the summer after a man receiving the experimental vaccine developed a rare nerve condition. However, an independent panel of experts concluded this wasnt due to the vaccine and gave the green light for the trial to continue.
Which Vaccines Are Not Safe For People Living With Hiv
Thanks to modern treatment, most HIV-positive people have immune systems that are able to cope with live vaccines. However, there still are exceptions.
Some live vaccines, like the tuberculosis vaccine, should not be given to people with HIV. Other live vaccines, like the smallpox vaccine, are not recommended for HIV positive people .
Some vaccines are available in live and non-live versions typhoid vaccine should be taken in its non-live form.
The yellow fever vaccine is generally not recommended for HIV positive travelers with low CD4 counts and those over the age of 60. A certificate of exemption can be issued for people planning to travel to countries that require this immunization, but be mindful that some of those countries may not honour the exemption.
Vaccination against the flu, which can occur year-round in the tropics, is also advised for people with HIV, who are at heightened risk of flu-related complications.
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Should You Get Vaccinated
I hope there is no one still on the fence about whether to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The timing of it may require a discussion with a neurologist, especially for patients being treated with an anti-CD20 therapy. But bottom line, the society believes the risks of contracting COVID-19 outweigh any potential risks from the COVID-19 vaccines, and that people with MS should be vaccinated.
Ive had my two Moderna shots, plus the booster, and the vaccine didnt impact my MS at all. And when someone wed been in close contact with recently became ill with COVID-19, I was very glad to have the jabs.
Youre invited to visit my personal blog at www.themswire.com.
Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
Can Hiv Positive Person Get The Shingles Vaccination
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Which Vaccines Are Recommended For People With Hiv
The following vaccines are recommended for people with HIV:
Based on age or other circumstances, you provider may recommend other vaccines as well.
Talk to your health care provider about which vaccines are recommended for you. For more details, read this information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention : HIV Infection and Adult Vaccination.
A Flu Shot Is The Best Protection Against Flu
If you have HIV, you are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications, in addition to taking ART, the best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu shot.
- Several randomized studies in adults living with HIV have shown that flu vaccination can reduce the risk of flu illness. Studies in the United States have shown that flu vaccination prevents illness and reduces the need for doctors visits among people with HIV and other conditions resulting in immune suppression.
- People living with HIV should get a flu shot every year. Injectable flu vaccines are approved for use in people with HIV and other health conditions. Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine vaccine should NEVER be used in people with HIV and AIDS. LAIV contains a weakened form of the live influenza virus and is not recommended for use in people with weakened immune systems .
Note: While people with HIV may still mount an immune response to flu vaccination, people with advanced HIV disease may not respond as well. Doctors may consider using influenza antiviral drugs for prevention in some cases. Visit the Summary for Clinicians: Chemoprophylaxis page for more information.)
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More Answers About Covid
A little over a year ago, I wrote about whether people with multiple sclerosis should get a COVID-19 vaccine. I was anxious to be vaccinated as soon as I could, but I was also concerned about how the vaccines would affect someone with MS.
Would the side effects be worse for MS patients than for healthy people? Would the disease-modifying therapies used to treat MS affect the ability of the COVID-19 vaccines to do their job, or might the vaccines actually exacerbate our illness?
Fast-forward to today, and it looks as if we have the answers to those questions.
What If A Person Has Never Had Chickenpox Or The Vaccine For It
Shingles doesnt spread from one person to another. And those whove never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine cant get shingles.
The varicella-zoster virus that causes shingles can be transmitted, however. Those who dont have the virus can contract it from exposure to active shingles blisters, and then develop chickenpox as a result.
Following are a few precautions to take to reduce risk of contracting the varicella-zoster virus:
- Try to avoid exposure to people with chickenpox or shingles.
- Be especially careful to avoid direct contact with the rash.
- Ask a healthcare professional about getting the vaccine.
There are two shingles vaccines available. The newest vaccine contains inactivated virus, which wont cause a shingles infection and so can be given to people whose immune system is severely compromised. The older vaccine contains the live virus and may not be safe in this case.
Consult a healthcare professional to find out if they recommend getting vaccinated against shingles.
Those with HIV might get a more severe case of shingles and are also at increased risk of complications.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Shingles
The most obvious symptom of shingles is a rash that usually winds around one side of the back and chest.
Some people start to feel a tingling sensation or pain several days before the rash appears. It begins with a few red bumps. Over the course of 3 to 5 days, many more bumps form.
The bumps fill with fluid and turn into blisters, or lesions. The rash may sting, burn, or itch. It can become very painful.
After a few days, the blisters begin to dry out and form a crust. These scabs usually start to fall off in about a week. The whole process can take 2 to 4 weeks. After the scabs fall off, subtle color changes may be visible on the skin. Sometimes the blisters leave scars.
Some people experience lingering pain after the rash clears up. This is a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia. It can last several months, though in rare cases the pain remains for years.
Other symptoms include fever, nausea, and diarrhea. Shingles can also occur around the eye, which can be quite painful and may result in eye damage.
For symptoms of shingles, see a healthcare professional right away. Prompt treatment can cut down on the risk of serious complications.
What Are The Treatment Options For Shingles
Treatment for shingles is the same regardless of whether a person has HIV. Treatment includes the following:
- getting started on an antiviral medication as quickly as possible to ease symptoms and potentially shorten the duration of the illness
- taking an over-the-counter or prescription pain reliever, depending on how severe the pain is
- using an OTC lotion to relieve itching, being sure to avoid lotions that contain cortisone
- applying a cool compress
Eye drops that contain corticosteroids can treat inflammation in cases of shingles of the eye.
Lesions should be examined by a healthcare professional right away.
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Myth: An Hiv Vaccine Is Unnecessary Because Aids Is Easily Treated And Controlled Just Like Diabetes
Fact: While treatment for HIV infection and AIDS has dramatically improved over the last 30 years, it is no substitute for prevention. Current HIV medications are very expensive, and there are also many side effects. Sometimes people develop drug resistance and have to change the regimen of pills they take. Access to these drugs is not guaranteed, and some middle- and low-income countries do not have access to the same medicines that are available in the US and Europe. Additionally, the rate of new infections around the world is greater than our ability to get treatment to the people who need it.
What Should My Employer Be Doing For Me
Your employer should be ensuring that you are able to work as safely as anyone else and have access to the same job opportunities as your colleagues unless there are very good reasons why this is not possible.
In response to COVID-19 this may include:
- Allowing you to work from home
- Allowing you to temporarily work in a role that minimises your contact with the public
- Providing you with access to personal protective equipment
- Allowing you to socially distance yourself from colleagues and the general public
- Allowing you to self-isolate
- Giving you a temporary leave of absence deploying payments of 80% of your salary available from the government.
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