updated 11th August 2020
With the end of shielding and easing of lockdown restrictions more social mixing is occurring in society. The easing of restrictions should not enourage people to stop adhering to recommendations on social distancing. Please keep up-to-date with the advice via GOV.UK channels (as below). We advise that people living with HIV (PLWH) should continue to follow Government advice regarding hand washing, distancing and face coverings.
We still do not have enough evidence yet on whether HIV affects risk of harm from COVID-19. So far, there have been only a few large cohort studies examining the impact of COVID-19 for people living with HIV, and the majority of these studies include only a small number of patients. Whilst some studies report a higher risk of COVID-19 related death for people living with HIV, others do not. Any increased risk is relatively small and no analysis has fully adjusted for potential confounders, such as kidney disease, diabetes or obesity, which might affect the results. We need more information to better understand your risks; this will come in the future.
BHIVA are aware that some people living with HIV have been contacted by letter or text message instructing them to shield. HIV specific advice is still based on your CD4 count and treatment adherence as above. You may be asked to shield because of other health conditions and these can be discussed with us or your GP practice.
Please note that there is no evidence to date that antiretrovirals, as HIV treatment or as PrEP, have any potential for treating coronavirus.
To check the most up-to-date advice please review the BHIVA news pages.
Here is a blog post from THT Medical Director Dr Michael Brady which covers some FAQs: https://www.tht.org.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19?mc_cid=ddd48f5cfc&mc_eid=1123d39017
If you are concerned please contact your nearest Devon sexual health clinic for advice.