Online information for people living with HIV
27 March 2020. Related: COVID-19: on the web, COVID-19.
Simon Collins, HIV i-Base
Many organisations now have online information to answer the main questions in easy language. A selection is linked below and include some posts from the i-Base Q&A service.
As with all information please check the date and whether or not the resources are updated in real time.
• i-Base Q&A service
• HIV Scotland: HIV, PrEP, COVID-19, sex: what you need to know
• ITPC – Q&As for HIV positive people globally
• BHIVA: Eight questions for HIV positive people
• US Centre for Disease Controls (CDC) FAQ
• International AIDS Society (IAS): COVID-19 and HIV: What you need to know
• JAMA: Stopping the spread of COVID-19
i-Base Q&A service
HIV and coronavirus (COVID-19): are HIV positive people at higher risk?
Will PrEP be affected by coronavirus and COVID-19?
What is difference between self-distancing and self-isolation for HIV and COVID-19
https://i-base.info/qa/15578
What are guidelines for pneumococcal and flu vaccines during COVID-19 crisis?
HIV Scotland: HIV, PrEP, COVID-19, sex: what you need to know
The online information from HIV Scotland has good Q&As organised into four main areas. i-Base contributed to some of these.
https://www.hiv.scot/coronavirus
HIV & coronavirus – what you need to know
https://www.hiv.scot/Pages/FAQs/Category/hiv-coronavirus
PrEP & coronavirus – what you need to know
https://www.hiv.scot/Pages/FAQs/Category/prep-coronavirus
Sex & physical distancing – what you need to know
https://www.hiv.scot/Pages/FAQs/Category/sex-covid-19-physical-distancing
Been at risk of HIV during COVID-19? – what you need to know
https://www.hiv.scot/Pages/FAQs/Category/at-risk-of-hiv-during-covid-19
BHIVA: Eight questions for HIV positive people
The BHIVA Q&As include importance of continuing to take ART, looking after physical and mental well-being, and advice about access to care if you think you have coronavirus symptoms.
https://www.bhiva.org/coronavirus-and-HIV-responses-to-common-questions-from-BHIVA
World Health Organization (WHO)
Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19)
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
Q&A on COVID-19, HIV and antiretrovirals
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-on-covid-19-hiv-and-antiretrovirals
Coronavirus myth busters
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
Includes:
- Being in the sun or at high temperature does not protect against COVID-19.
- Being able to hold your breath does not mean you are free from coronavirus.
- Alcohol does not protect against COVID-19. Neither does garlic.
- Cold weather and snow doesn’t kill coronavirus and hot climates are still at high risk.
- Coronavirus is not transmitted by mosquito bites.
- Will pneumonia and flu vaccines help?
Q&A on COVID-19, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-on-covid-19-pregnancy-childbirth-and-breastfeeding
Q&A: Similarities and differences – COVID-19 and influenza
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-similarities-and-differences-covid-19-and-influenza
US Centre for Disease Controls (CDC) FAQ
Information from the US CDC from 20 March 2020.
Introduction
https://www.hiv.gov/blog/frequently-asked-questions-about-hiv-and-covid-19?
FAQ page
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/hiv.html?
ITPC – Q&As for HIV positive people globally
Information available in a PDF booklet from the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC)
Among the questions addressed are:
• What is the coronavirus and what is COVID-19?
• Who is at risk for COVID-19?
• How do you get it?
• What happens to people with COVID-19?
• How can it be prevented?
• What do you do if you feel ill?
• How do you get tested?
• How is COVID-19 treated?
Ref: ITPC. Personal and community guidance on COVID-19.
http://itpcglobal.org/resource/personal-and-community-guidance-coronavirus-disease-covid-19/
International AIDS Society (IAS): COVID-19 and HIV: what you need to know
https://www.iasociety.org/covid-19-hiv
JAMA: Stopping the spread of COVID-19
Ref: Desai AN and Patel P. Stopping the Spread of COVID-19. JAMA. (20 March 2020).
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2763533?