Powering through COVID-19 as a person living with HIV

COVID-19 is an illness caused by a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The main symptoms are fever, cough, runny nose, breathing difficulties, sore throat, and loss of smell and taste. A small proportion of people develop severe symptoms and need intensive care.  

People not at greater risk

Based on the current information, you are not at greater risk than the general population if you:

• Have an undetectable viral load

• Are below 60 years old

• Do not have comorbidities (e.g. heart, lung, kidney disease)

With HIV treatment, people living with HIV who are virally suppressed and have a preferred range of CD4 cells (above 500 cells/mL) are not immune-compromised.

People at greater risk

However, certain groups of people living with HIV face increased risk for moderate or severe infection if:

• They are of older age, this is the greatest risk factor. People over 80 were at least 20 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to people aged 50-59. People under 40 had a greatly reduced risk than the 50-59 age group

• Have a low CD4 count (below 350 cells/mL) or if they are not on anti-retroviral treatment to treat their HIV

• Heart, lung, or kidney disease

• Other poorly managed health conditions

Take the necessary precautions 

While vaccines have been procured, they are only being gradually rolled out in Singapore.

Hence, it is important that people living with HIV continue practising the following COVID-19 precautions: 

• Wash and sanitise hands before and after touching common surfaces 

• Ensure physical distancing such as standing and sitting 1 metre apart from another person

• Wear a mask when outdoors, unless doing strenuous exercises

• See a doctor if experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms, and take a COVID-19 swab test if instructed

• Travel during off-peak hours where possible, and avoid visiting crowded places

People living with HIV are also advised to:

• Not delay starting or continuing anti-retroviral treatment in Singapore. Delaying the start of anti-retroviral treatment can be dangerous, especially since 50% of people living with HIV in Singapore are diagnosed in the late stages of their condition and have a weak immune system due to a lower CD4 count

• Singaporeans and permanent residents (PRs) returning from overseas are encouraged to continue their HIV treatment in Singapore. Disruptions to their treatment regimen and missing daily doses can lead to their strain of HIV becoming resistant and render their existing treatment regimen ineffective

• Keep an adequate supply of medications to treat and prevent other infections and comorbidities

• Ensure that other vaccinations are up to date (influenza and pneumococcal vaccines)