Matthew Hodson

While there is no evidence that people with HIV are more likely to catch swine flu, according to the NHS it may be more likely to result in medical complications for people with damaged immune systems. A number of health organisations, including THT (Terrence Higgins Trust) and GMFA, the gay men's health charity, have issued the following advice:
 
Advice for gay men who have not been diagnosed with HIV:
Some gay men have HIV without knowing it. According to the HPA (Health Protection Agency), there are an estimated 32,000 gay men with HIV in the UK , with over a quarter of them unaware of their infection. People who have been infected with HIV but have not been diagnosed may have a damaged immune system.

If you have never been tested for HIV, or if you have taken any sexual risks (such as fucking without condoms) since your last HIV negative test result, now is a good time to test.

To find your nearest clinic, visit:
www.gmfa.org.uk/clinics

If you are then diagnosed HIV positive, HIV treatment can boost your immune system so that you will be less vulnerable to complications arising from swine flu. Also, you will be eligible for early vaccination against swine flu.
 
Advice for gay men who have been diagnosed with HIV:
People with diagnosed HIV will be eligible to receive vaccinations against swine flu from their GP, together with other high priority groups. The vaccination programme starts in October 2009.

People with HIV who are not currently registered with a GP are advised to do so. If you are not registered you may be able to do a temporary registration to get the vaccine at a GP clinic.

To find out more about local provision of the vaccine, visit: www.gmfa.org.uk/swineflu, www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/serviceSearch.aspx or www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk

or call the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100.

There are organisations that can support you if you are disclosing your HIV status to a GP. If you would like advice on this, call THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200.

If you are on treatment for HIV, your clinic may advise you to stock up on medication in case their service is disrupted. It is best to check this with your clinic to be sure.
 
If you have flu symptoms and are concerned you may have swine flu, the advice from the NHS is to stay at home and check your symptoms at the National Pandemic Flu Service.

If you are HIV positive and your CD4 count is under 200, it is especially important that you seek advice if you have symptoms of swine flu, particularly if your symptoms are severe.

In the first instance, you should contact the National Pandemic Flu Service at: www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk or on 0800 1 513 100.
 
GMFA’s Matthew Hodson said:
“The number of swine flu cases has already risen in the UK. In most cases the symptoms are very mild, but nobody is completely sure how big a risk the virus is. HIV is particularly prevalent among gay men. As people with compromised immune systems are one of the groups most at risk from complications from swine flu, we think it’s important to provide as much information to them as possible.”

For more information view:
www.gmfa.org.uk/swineflu which will be updated with further information for gay men when it becomes available.