Studies have shown that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment if they are started within 2 days of getting sick. There may still be benefit in treating people with antiviral drugs even after two days have gone by, especially if the sick person has a greater chance of serious flu complications or is very sick, for example in the hospital because of the flu.
When should people with HIV/AIDS receive antiviral medications for chemoprophylaxis (prevention of influenza)?
People with HIV/AIDS should be prescribed antiviral medications to prevent infection with influenza when they cannot otherwise be protected during times when there is a high risk for exposure to influenza. Use should be in accordance with current recommendations from CDC or local public health authorities. Current CDC guidance on use of chemoprophylaxis should be consulted, and updated recommendations from CDC can be found on theSeasonal Influenza (Flu) site.
There are no published data on interactions between the recommended influenza antiviral agents (oseltamivir and zanamivir) and drugs used in the management of HIV infected persons. Patients should be observed for adverse drug reactions to influenza antiviral chemoprophylaxis agents, especially when neurologic conditions or renal insufficiency is present.
Should health care workers who have contact with HIV/AIDS patients be vaccinated?
Influenza vaccination is recommended for health care workers, including those who are involved in direct care of HIV-infected patients. More information about vaccination of health care workers can be found in Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2010. Health care workers who are younger than 50 years of age, and are not pregnant may receive the nasal-spray flu vaccine (LAIV/FluMist) as long as they do not care for severely immunosuppressed persons who require a protective environment.
HIV/AIDS & Flu: What You Need To Know was originally published on blackdoctor.org
