It’s
Cold and Flu Season Again—Are You Ready?
This
year, National Influenza Vaccination Week will run from November 27 to December
3. People with HIV/AIDS are at
greater risk of developing serious complications from influenza-related
infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Studies have shown an increased risk
for heart- and lung-related hospitalizations in people infected with HIV
during influenza season as opposed to other times of the year, and a
higher risk of influenza-related death in HIV-infected people.”
Because
influenza can result in serious, even life-threatening illness for people
living with HIV/AIDS, the CDC recommends that HIV-infected people get a
flu vaccination each year. Approximately 77 million flu vaccine doses
have already been distributed this season, and vaccine supply is expected
to reach an all-time high. However, if there is
a vaccine shortage this year, people with HIV/AIDS are among the priority
groups that should receive flu shots.
The CDC fact sheet
HIV/AIDS
and the Flu
provides questions and
answers to guide the administration of both flu shots and antiviral
medications in people with HIV/AIDS. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has also published helpful
information about the flu. The most important things to remember this cold
and flu season are to eat healthy foods, get plenty of rest, stick to your
medication regimen, and stay away from situations that could compromise
your immune system.
Happy Thanksgiving
from AIDSinfo!
The
AIDSinfo At-a-Glance newsletter will not be published next
week due to the Thankgiving holiday. We will resume publication of
At-a-Glance the week of November 27, 2006. We wish you and your
family a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
ClinicalTrials.gov Info
New HIV/AIDS trials have been
added to ClinicalTrials.gov in the last 7 days. For a list of these
trials click here.
