Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center

What Adults with HIV Infection Should Know About the Novel H1N1 Flu (formerly called swine flu)

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Consult your doctor and make sure all your vaccinations are up-to-date, including vaccination against seasonal influenza and vaccination against bacterial pneumonia caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae.  Bacterial pneumonia from Streptococcus pneumoniae can be a problem for people with HIV/AIDS and can also cause complications for people who have the flu.  The vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae is different than the vaccine from the influenza vaccine. 

Follow local public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures based on illness in specific communities.

If you haven’t developed a family emergency plan yet, consider developing one now as a precaution.  In particular, make sure to keep your antiretroviral prescriptions and other prescriptions filled and up-to-date and to take all of your antiretrovirals as prescribed. 

See additional information on planning.

What is CDC doing about H1N1 flu for people with HIV/AIDS?

CDC, in coordination with state and local health departments and with WHO is working aggressively to understand the epidemiology of this novel H1N1 flu and determine if it affects HIV-infected people and people with other immunocompromising conditions differently. As additional information about the situation become available, the CDC’s recommendations may change.  Please check the CDC H1N1 Flu website frequently.