HIV and COVID: Is The Risk Higher in HIV?

Not necessarily. People with HIV are not necessarily at increased risk for COVID because of HIV. The HIV drugs that decrease viral load also help with immune system recovery.

Here is a statement from two European AIDS groups on the matter. The statement is the result of questions about COVID risk in people living with HIV.

Two key points:

• So far there is no evidence for a higher COVID-19 infection rate or differentdisease course in people with HIV than in HIV-negative people.

• Current evidence indicates that the risk of severe illness increases withage, male sex and with certain chronic medical problems, such as cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease and diabetes.

If you read further, the statement reinforces the importance of adherence to HIV treatment and maintaining an undetectable viral load.