 H1N1 and HIV
September 25, 2009
Information as of September 9, 2009
Here are Q&A about H1N1 — also known as “Swine Flu” — for people living with HIV. This information was produced by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Q. What is H1N1?
A. H1N1 is a new flu virus also known as “Swine Flu.” The symptoms are very similar to the regular seasonal flu.
Q. How serious is H1N1?
A. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 can vary from mild to severe. Most people recover without needing medical care. However, thousands of people in the U.S. die each year from seasonal flu. Some people — including people with HIV — are at higher risk for complications from the flu.
Q. How can I protect myself from the flu?
A. Good health habits can help stop germs.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Consider vaccination.
Q. I have HIV. Am I at higher risk of getting H1N1?
A. People with HIV may experience more severe complications from H1N1, but the information so far doesn’t indicate that people with HIV are at greater risk of getting H1N1. For more information, listen to this podcast from the US CDC.
Q. I have HIV. What will happen if I get H1N1?
A. Early information from two countries suggests that people with HIV who get H1N1 are not at increased risk of severe or fatal illness, as long as they are receiving antiretroviral therapy. Most of these people have had mild illness and recovered fully.
Q. What are symptoms of H1N1?
A. The symptoms are very similar to the regular seasonal flu.
- Fever (Temperature higher than 100° F (37.8° C))
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting
Q. What should I do if I get sick?
A. People with HIV are at risk for complications from the flu, so you should contact your health care provider or seek medical care if you have the symptoms above.
Seek emergency medical care if a sick child shows these emergency warning signs:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
Seek emergency medical care if a sick adult shows these emergency warning signs:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
Q. Do I need a flu shot?
A. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu and its complications. The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against H1N1, so you should consider getting both vaccines.
Q. Do you have to receive the seasonal flu shot before receiving the H1N1 shot?
A. You do not have to receive the seasonal flu shot before receiving the H1N1 flu shot. However, the seasonal vaccine is now available and we encourage everyone to be immunized. The H1N1 vaccine should be available in October.
Q. Where can I get more information?
A. Check out Maine CDC’s web site.
Follow Maine CDC’s Updates:
Consider Calling or Emailing Us:
- General Public Call-in Number for Questions: 1-888-257-0990
NextTalk (deaf/hard of hearing): (207) 629-5751
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Email your questions
U.S. CDC H1N1 Recommendations and Guidance
TheBody.com
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