As New Zealand and the world deals with the Swine 'Flu outbreak, the UK's leading HIV+ support service is reassuring HIV+ people that it appears they are at no greater risk from the spread of the virus than the general population. The Terrence Higgins Trust has been contacted by several people concerned for their health as the Swine 'Flu virus spreads. "People with HIV are probably at no greater risk of getting Swine 'Flu," notes the Trust's website today. "Although HIV infects CD4 cells and reduces their number and function, there are other parts of the immune system that are able to fight flu. "Having HIV, even if you have a low CD4 count, shouldn't make you more susceptible," it concludes. However, if an HIV+ person does get Swine 'Flu, they may be more likely to suffer complications like pneumonia. Avoiding the virus is as simple as avoiding any common cold - cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Kiwi concerns New Zealand has so far had only three confirmed cases of Swine 'Flu, but 111 people have been isolated and treated with Tamiflu as health workers are taking no risks with what could become a global pandemic. Auckland gay doctor Mike Pohl, who has one of New Zealand's largest HIV+ caseloads and who has also been taking calls from concerned patients, says that in general we should be reassured that the people in the Western nations who have contracted Swine 'Flu seem to have a very mild illness. He says he has no particular alarm over people with HIV having or contracting the Swine 'Flu, "but they should phone their doctor if they have concerns or possible symptoms." Pohl knows there is some uncertainty about the longer term scenario. "We're unsure where all this is heading, because the situation is changing constantly, and we haven't had an influenza pandemic during the time of HIV," he explains. "Because the two viruses haven't crossed paths before, this leaves us with a degree of uncertainty over the situation." Heading home Meanwhile, gay Olympic gold medalist Matthew Mitcham has been ordered to return home to Australia from a diving championship in Mexico due to concerns over the Swine 'Flu epidemic, which has claimed over 150 lives in Mexico, reports the Sydney Star Observer.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Friday, 1st May 2009 - 12:14pm