When you have AIDS, your body may find it hard to fight off colds. Make sure you do what you can to avoid catching one, and take good care of yourself if you do get sick.
Why Are Colds a Problem for People With HIV/AIDS?
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, kills or damages cells in the immune system, your body's defense against germs. That makes it tougher for you to beat back infections. When you get sick with a cold, you're more likely to get complications, like pneumonia.
Which Cold Treatment Should I Use?
When you first get sick, call your doctor. There aren't any medicines that can fight the virus that causes a cold, but they'll recommend treatments that can ease your symptoms.
A cold normally lasts about a week and goes away on its own, even in people with HIV. But if your symptoms are severe, don't improve, or you get shortness of breath or fever, let your doctor know right away, in case you need more aggressive treatment.
Make sure you drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have fever. If your temperature goes above 102 F, it could be a sign that you have the flu. If your doctor says you've got it, they may suggest medicines that may make it go away more quickly. But the sooner after you get sick you take them, the better they work.
Whether you have a cold or the flu, if your appetite is down it's important to try to eat something and drink plenty of fluids. Smaller meals may help until you get hungry again. Also, rest as much as you can and get plenty of sleep so your body has a chance to recover.
How Can I Prevent Colds?
Always use good hygiene to lower your chance of getting sick. Ask your family and friends to do their part in keeping germs away from you. Tell them to cover their mouths when they cough and wash their hands often. They should also avoid touching surfaces after rubbing their eyes or nose.
Use an antibacterial cleaner or a mild bleach solution to kill germs on common household hotspots, such as telephone receivers, doorknobs, kitchen and bathroom countertops and sinks, and the refrigerator handle. Also, keep your computer mouse, television remote control, and keyboard clean.
Check with your doctor about vaccinations against pneumonia and the flu. The CDC recommends that people with long-term medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, be among the first to get a flu vaccine each year.