Question
Would I get cold/sorethroat more frequently that I am HIV positive?
23 January 2012. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Complications and coinfections, Opportunistic infections.
Would I get cold or sore throat more frequently that I am HIV positive? Would it be more difficult to shake it off? Should I walk away if I see anyone coughing? Would a cold develops into pneumonia? At what stage I should be alarmed and see my HIV doctor?
Answer
Firstly can I ask whether you are taking any HIV medication at the moment? And can you also please tell me your CD4 count and viral load too?
HIV positive people are not generally at any greater risk from colds and coughs just because of HIV. Like anyone, you would probably want to avoid these, but HIV itself does not seem to be the important factor.
If you are on treatment, then you should be healthy just like other HIV negative people. Being on treatment will help to stop the virus from replicating itself and this will increase your CD4 count. CD4 count is related to your immune system. It is only through HIV treatment that you will be able to increase your CD4 count and have a healthier immune system. If you immune system is strong, then it is less likely that you will catch cold, flu or sore throat.
Avoiding people who have cold or sorethroat is a good idea (if you are feeling unwell), however these illness are airborne diseases and you can catch them anywhere. Even if you take extra precaution, you can easily pick them up indirectly. If your immune system is weak, then this means that your CD4 count is low. Having a low CD4 count also means you are more susceptible to other opportunistic illnesses (OIs) such as pneumonia and PCP.
If you CD4 drops below 350 then you would need to start treatment (according to the UK guideline) and if its drops below 200 then you need to start treatment immediately. Your HIV doctor can run a CD4 count test to determine when you should start treatment.
Please take a look at this link for more information on CD4 count. Please scroll down and take a look at the 2 links found below the page (1.6 and 1.8). This will explain a lot about HIV interact with CD4 count.
Hi Johnny,
It’s good that you’ve started treatment. But most people can get flu at any time if they’re HIV negative. If you have very bad symptoms it’s a good idea to call the doctor to check. You can also ask about your CD4 count and viral load to see if the meds are working well.
I’m HIV positive. I have flu, coughing and sweating at night. I’ve been sick for one day….. I’ve been on treatment for almost 5 months since I was diagnosed. Must I worry about this?
Hi Mary,
I’m sorry you don’t sound well at all. But are you on HIV treatment (ART)? This can help keep you well for many years. You can contact the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC). They work across South Africa and build local activism for HIV treatment. It’s a good idea to contact TAC to see if they can help.
am HIV for 12 years bit now am sick I can’t eat i feel fervor if i eat i vomiting what must i do.is the end of my journey
Hi Grace,
If you’re unwell you should see a doctor.Its very unlikely that this has anything to do with you being positive.
Im HIV POSITIVE nd my throat is very sore nd i dnt know what should i do or drink nd again im in treatment.
Hi Salim,
i-base advocates aren’t medical doctors, therefore please see your doctor.
Sore throat
Am à painter and living with HIV but my viral load is undetectable .For the past one week i have experienced à serious sore throat. Am not coughing nord have cold or flue,my worry is this soreness doesnt want to stop. What drug Can i use as a PLHIV. ?
Being HIV positive can mean that your immune system could find it difficult to fight off flu.
But it’s important that you talk to your doctor about it, and make sure you’re healthy enough to recover. Your doctor can check that any meds you take for flu don’t interact with your HIV meds.
l am HIV positive and have got flu and coughing, what should l use?