COVID-19 Thread

[Jim Allen]

Note:

The coronavirus outbreak continues to be a hot topic, as such, I have merged all related threads into this single sticky post.

I will continue to merge any new threads regarding the virus, this effort is not only to avoid duplication but also to ensure people who want to discuss it can and, with the latest information.

Additionally, this means that members who are finding the topic particularly distressing or those wishing to take a break from COVID-19 news can and aren't confronted with dozens of separate threads across the forum.

Finally, a small ask to please be additionally mindful and patient with each other during these times and to stay away and refrain from sharing unofficial/unreliable news sources or sensationalized media. Thank you.


To find the latest updates POZ.com has continuing coronavirus coverage specifically for people living with HIV here: https://www.poz.com/tag/coronavirus

Few valuable links.

What People With HIV Need to Know About the New Coronavirus
https://www.poz.com/article/people-hiv-need-know-new-coronavirus

What People With Liver Disease Need to Know About the New Coronavirus
https://forums.hepmag.com/index.php?topic=5923.msg

What People With Cancer Need to Know About the New Coronavirus
https://forums.cancerhealth.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=ibjpe9dlg3s2830amd0ob84307&topic=153.msg


Experts shed light on coronavirus response and its implications for people with HIV
https://www.aidsmap.com/news/mar-2020/experts-shed-light-coronavirus-response-and-its-implications-people-hiv

https://www.bhiva.org/BHIVA-and-THT-statement-on-COVID-19-and-advice-for-the-extremely-vulnerable

In summary:
1. People with CD4 >200 and undetectable on ART are considered at no greater risk than the general population; follow general advice.

2. People with CD4 <200, detectable viral load or not on ART may be at higher risk of severe illness; follow general advice.

3. People with a CD4 count <50 or opportunistic illness in last 6 months; follow shielding advice for extremely vulnerable.

UNAIDS.

https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2020/march/20200312_covid-19

AIDSMAP.
http://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/coronavirus-covid-19-and-hiv

POZ.COM
https://www.poz.com/article/covid19-advice-people-hiv-experts-know



Thanks to @Loa111

COVID-19 Facts - Dr. & Professor Paddy Mallon
https://youtu.be/1CsAeuFAPy4

Thanks to @Marcanthony

For people in the UK who are worried; HIV Scotland has set up a helpline, that you can access all across the UK. The number is 0131 558 3713 open mon-fri 10am-6pm. https://www.buzzfeed.com/patrickstrudwick/coronavirus-helpline-hiv-positive

UPDATE
This thread has now been locked. If we see duplicate COVID-19 threads again or it becomes, overwhelming for some members, ill merge anything new back here and reopen this thread.

A separate COVID-19 Vaccine thread has been opened: https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=75065.0

[MitchMiller]

This thing seems to be spreading pretty fast.  There are now over 4500 cases reported, and likely many more that are unreported.  Given viral infection rates are exponential, in a month, there could be millions infected. 

I believe there were about 2500 cases reported three days ago, now 4515.  Using a power of 2, in another three days, the reported cases would rise to over 9000, and from there by a power of 2 every three days until it peaks.  Hopefully it will peak soon.

China is reporting 20% of reported cases are in critical condition.  I'm assuming that means they are hospitalized.  I hope the Trump administration is preparing for what could happen. 

There's a small trial ongoing to see if Kaletra can be used to treat the virus.

I'm experiencing a dry cough as I write this.

[MitchMiller]

I just checked an online pharmacy and Kaletra is out of stock. 

I'm wondering if any of the other HIV drugs have any effect.  I would guess another protease inhibitor might.

[fabio]

So our meds work against other viral infections then. Just like I saw somewhere that aspirin acts as a mild antiviral (or it was something else idk).
It is amazing how good our meds today are. Hopefully they get over this virus quick.

[fabio]

Good preparations from the hospitals part is very important as well.
So far,in Greece (where I am from),we haven't had any cases,just some common cold/flu cases. Hopefully China and other places who have minor cases get this under control.
I also think the media is creating a lot of panic towards this topic and they don't try to inform people on how to better protect themselves when they go to a hospital.

[leatherman]

aspirin acts as a mild antiviral (or it was something else idk)

Aspirin was found to be highly effective against influenza A H1N1 virus. The antiviral activity against further respiratory RNA viruses was less distinct. Respiratory syncytial virus was minimally inhibited. However, the activity of aspirin against rhinoviruses was more pronounced. Aspirin demonstrated antiviral activity against all human rhinoviruses (HRV), but the effect on members of the "major group" viruses, namely HRV14 and HRV39, was greater than on those of the "minor group," HRV1A and HRV2
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27542891

Acyclovir is another antiviral, used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, such as genital herpes, cold sores, shingles, and chicken pox, that also works (somewhat) against HIV

[OneTampa]

Interesting About HIV Meds Used for Cure Info Links:

https://www.dailysabah.com/health/2020/02/02/thailand-cures-coronavirus-with-anti-hiv-drug-cocktail-in-48-hours

https://www.physiciansweekly.com/cocktail-of-flu-hiv/

https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1234988/Coronavirus-cure-HIV-drugs-China-virus-infection-lopinavir-ritonavir-coronavirus-news

[MadDog125]

Well apparently yet more medical issues are being solved based on HIV studies.  It really is the Gordian knot of medical science.  Apparently the corona virus and the influenza virus are having their replication process screwed by HIV ARVs.

https://www.thenational.ae/uae/health/doctors-cure-coronavirus-patient-using-hiv-wonder-drugs-1.970084

[fabio]

Are they still testing to see if the job meds really did the job? Or is it confirmed besides just one person getting cured?
Hopefully they get rid of this virus quickly before it spreads all around the world.

[fabio]

Meant hiv meds and not "job meds" 😅. This autocorrect is killing me haha.

[zach]

Guys... everything is just fine, our president has put mike pence in charge. With his proven record fighting viral outbreaks, we can count on him to protect us

[J.R.E.]

Guys... everything is just fine, our president has put mike pence in charge. With his proven record fighting viral outbreaks, we can count on him to protect us

 

[J.R.E.]

Speaking of the incompetent robotic pence :

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ocasio-cortez-knocks-pence-utterly-irresponsible-to-put-him-in-charge-of-us-coronavirus-response/ar-BB10tK6y?li=BBnb7Kz

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/leads-coronavirus-response-pence-criticized-handling-hiv-outbreak/story?id=69255588

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) criticized Vice President Pence hours after President Trump said he would be putting him in charge of the administration's response to the spread of the new coronavirus known as COVID-19.

"Mike Pence literally does not believe in science," she tweeted on Wednesday night. "It is utterly irresponsible to put him in charge of US coronavirus response as the world sits on the cusp of a pandemic. This decision could cost people their lives. Pence's past decisions already have."

She also took aim at Pence's handling of an HIV outbreak in Indiana during his time as governor of the state in another tweet, saying: "As governor, Pence's science denial contributed to one of the worst HIV outbreaks in Indiana's history."

[Delby]

Hey Guys

As the situation around the globe ramps up, it seems inevitable that COVID-19 is going to turn pandemic. Most scientists and health professions believe it is a case of when and not if now. Mortality rates are similar to those witnessed in general influenza but what makes this different is the rate of transmission. We are dealing with a highly contagious virus.

Being poz, I can’t help but feel somewhat nervous about what’s round the corner. Whether we like it or not, we are immune compromised, despite the advances we’ve made in treating HIV. We are therefore one of the groups that are vulnerable as well as those with diabetes, asthma, etc.

What do people think?

I’m not trying to scare anyone but interested in hearing peoples opinions on how the HIV population should be dealing with this and what are your thoughts about our chances of survival compared to the general population?

Sorry to sound so apocalyptic but it’s a little tense out there.

Delby x

[CR2016]

Just yesterday i thoght about that. In México was found 2 or 3 diagnosed; one of them in the state where im living. It´s worrying, i have not found info about impact in people with our conditios (POZ); i really dont know if all POZ are immunologically very suceptible or not. I would like to believe that by being under ARV regime we can be at the level of any non-POZ person. In dont really know yet, but we must be calm but not careless in the general advices.
regards and we´ll wait for any info about.

[Jim Allen]

I’m not trying to scare anyone but interested in hearing peoples opinions on how the HIV population should be dealing with this and what are your thoughts about our chances of survival compared to the general population?

How to deal with it, the same as the rest of the population deals with it, if you ask me. Minus the paranoia seen in some folks prehaps.

[TabooPrincess]

Are your meds or not?! If yes then give over worrying. If no then get on em. Simples.

[tryingtostay]

Well put Delby. 

I hope this doesn't turn into the tiresome two groups of people arguing back n forth but ends up being productive.  Not all of us are in the same compartment of the boat.  Some of us have a low CD4 count while others have numbers of a negative person.

This is also concerning to me.  I'm here to understand more.  I don't think I have incites on this other than to become familiar and aware with where it's spreading, reading world health organization pages on the coronavirus, and what precautions to take.  I don't believe it's fully understood at this point so being proactive isn't a bad idea.  I mean they are saying it can be contagious if you are within 6' of a carrier.  What about if you are 7' from a carrier, so then are we safe?  I'm not underestimating their word for it.  We are all here from not being diligent in protecting ourselves from one virus.   If that doesn't give us something to reflect on then what will?

[Texland]

One thing to protect ourselves is get the pneumonia vaccine, if you haven't had it yet. There are two different vaccines, the Prevnar 13 and the Pneumovax 23. The Pneumovax covers more strains of bacteria than the Prevnar 13.

There may be different versions of these outside the US.
Reports from China say most of the Coronavirus patients who died, died from pneumonia.

If you haven't already had the pneumonia vaccine, get it yesterday!

[Jim Allen]

Well put Delby. 

I hope this doesn't turn into the tiresome two groups of people arguing back n forth but ends up being productive.  Not all of us are in the same compartment of the boat.  Some of us have a low CD4 count while others have numbers of a negative person.

This is also concerning to me.  I'm here to understand more.  I don't think I have incites on this other than to become familiar and aware with where it's spreading, reading world health organization pages on the coronavirus, and what precautions to take.  I don't believe it's fully understood at this point so being proactive isn't a bad idea.  I mean they are saying it can be contagious if you are within 6' of a carrier.  What about if you are 7' from a carrier, so then are we safe?  I'm not underestimating their word for it.  We are all here from not being diligent in protecting ourselves from one virus.   If that doesn't give us something to reflect on then what will?

I don't think it's going to be two groups arguing, and being proactive is a nice idea but Low CD4's or not, short of self-isolation or contact avoidance, there is not much to do besides using common sense. The suggestion of making sure you have been vaccinated for pneumonia by Tex is, is not a bad idea.

The 3 feet, 6 inches or 7 inches thoughts, it only really applies when you are around someone who knows they have the virus, so caring for someone otherwise why would you knowingly be around someone with the virus. Practically speaking, considering incubation periods and all, I can't go outside and simple demand or avoid coming within 3 feet of any person, so I see no point in stressing about that when I do need to go out for shopping etc. 

BTW here is what WHO current says.
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

Protection measures for everyone
Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. COVID-19 is still affecting mostly people in China with some outbreaks in other countries. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others.

Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:

* Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

*Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

*Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

*Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

*Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

*Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

Protection measures for persons who are in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading

*Follow the guidance outlined above. (Protection measures for everyone)

*Stay at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose, until you recover. Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.

*If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers.  Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also help to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

[Jim Allen]

BTW we have three of these threads.

I will have a look this afternoon but might just merge them and make this a sticky post for the time being as it seems to a hot topic for people.

[Grasshopper]

One thing to protect ourselves is get the pneumonia vaccine, if you haven't had it yet. There are two different vaccines, the Prevnar 13 and the Pneumovax 23. The Pneumovax covers more strains of bacteria than the Prevnar 13.

There may be different versions of these outside the US.
Reports from China say most of the Coronavirus patients who died, died from pneumonia.

If you haven't already had the pneumonia vaccine, get it yesterday!

Yeah right 
.....there is NO vaccine (yet) for the Corona COVID-19 virus ...period !
You gan go get all the available pneumonia vaccines available...but they won't do shit to protect you from this specific virus.

[virgo313]

Nothing we can do except wear mask & wash hand as much as possible.
cannot be wearing a "space suit" when leaving house.
Unless you are living or visiting a location where there is "cluster infection" there is no point to be "worry", life has to go on.

China, North Italy, South Korea, Iran, Ship at Yokohama shd be avoided.
Rest world - https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/29/asia/coronavirus-cases-worldwide-intl-hnk/index.html

death rate = around 2% & most is elderly. My country have 35M people with 29 cases. So basically this can give you the odds % one will die (IF i get the virus)

What about visit hospital... for the pass 2 weeks, i enter at 7-8am & leave 9-10pm.
Can't be worrying as mother is there. Dr dont even wear mask.

While i go on my normal routine, i hope a vaccine come fast, like within this year.

[Jim Allen]

You gan go get all the available pneumonia vaccines available...but they won't do shit to protect you from this specific virus.

No, but it's never a bad idea to be vaccinated against what you can, deaths from flu & pneumonia didn't stop because of Corona COVID-19

Nothing we can do except wear mask & wash hand as much as possible.
cannot be wearing a "space suit" when leaving house.
Unless you are living or visiting a location where there is "cluster infection" there is no point to be "worry", life has to go on.

We really could do with a like button on the forum.

I'll be honest at the moment I'm still more worried about seasonal flu killing me off then anything else

[virgo313]

Just some latest updates for the search for a vaccine.
Poz community should "happy" & not worry as ART is being use as trials drugs for Covid-19

theguardian.com/science/2020/feb/20/doctors-hiv-ebola-drugs-coronavirus-cure-covid-19
https://www.amfar.org/corona/
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/28/health/coronavirus-vaccine-and-treatment-development/index.html

[Pirata]

Well I was reading about thr virus and HIV and it seems the treatment with HIV medications is working, so probably we are going to be in a good position if that is confirmed.

[Texland]

Yeah right 
.....there is NO vaccine (yet) for the Corona COVID-19 virus ...period !
You gan go get all the available pneumonia vaccines available...but they won't do shit to protect you from this specific virus.

Correct, there is not currently a vaccine for Covid-19.
Pneumonia is a serious secondary complication of being ill with Covid-19. If a patient can prevent getting pneumonia, their chance of recovery are much improved.

[zach]

Yeah right 
.....there is NO vaccine (yet) for the Corona COVID-19 virus ...period !
You gan go get all the available pneumonia vaccines available...but they won't do shit to protect you from this specific virus.

Reckless and irresponsible hot take there grasshopper,  pneumonia vaccine absolutely is beneficial in this outbreak

Let's all remain calm, keep things in perspective. We already live with the most feared virus in modern times... no need to pile on

[J.R.E.]

We have our first known cases here in Florida.  One case in Hillsborough county,( Which is the Tampa area), and the other in Manatee county.

The first case was someone that had traveled to Italy, and the second case they believe was contracted within the community.

News conference is scheduled in a couple hours.

https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/coronavirus/2020/03/02/florida-coronavirus-cases

Ray

[fabio]

We have only 8 people with it,but I live in an island,so nothing on my island yet.

[Jim Allen]

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to be a hot topic, I have merged the threads and created this sticky post in the "Living with HIV" section.

POZ.com also has coronavirus coverage specifically for people living with HIV
https://www.poz.com/tag/coronavirus

This includes the article "What People With HIV Need to Know About the New Coronavirus"

https://www.poz.com/article/people-hiv-need-know-new-coronavirus

Best, Jim

[CR2016]

Thanks Jim again for the info.
It´s so important as POZ members to consider the most importants care, as the rest of no POZ population. We must be careful about our general health (mentally, physically) for fighting as normally if we get this or another illness.
Saludos, mil gracias.

[fabio]

Yeah it's getting a bit dangerous here as well. The Island will be isolated for the next 48 hours because there have been confirmed cases in the mainland,which is an hour away on ferry.
Hopefully this goes away quickly with the warmth of the weather....
Also,thanks for the info as well!

[leatherman]

goes away quickly with the warmth of the weather.

unfortunately weather doesn't have anything to do with it.
(oh, and please don't listen to our President about any of this LOL )

[fabio]

Well,at least that's.what people say haha. Don't tell me it's another "blow a nuclear bomb in the atmosphere to make the ozon layer disappear" kind of thing hehe.

[leatherman]

the only way that weather is related to any flu is that when it's cold outside people stay indoors more (i.e. closer contact to more people) and communicable disease rates (transmission) increase.

unfortunately our American President seems to understand little about health care. He thinks the "heat" of Spring will kill it off. He believes that a vaccine could be ready in weeks. He doesn't understand the difference between vaccines and cures. He doesn't understand that less access to health care (testing and treatment) WILL lead to furthering an epidemic not ending an epidemic.

[Jim Allen]

Thanks Jim again for the info.

De nada

[fabio]

It's a general belief here as well,that warm weather gets rid of the flu.
Anyways,I hope everyone else is doing ok.

[leatherman]

It's a general belief here as well,that warm weather gets rid of the flu.

a lot of people believe the old wives' tale that going outside in the cold weather with wet hair leads to having a cold. However, a cold is a virus (rhinovirus) that people catch by being exposed to a person infected with the virus. The weather has nothing to do with it.....except in cold weather, more people are inside more and in more contact with other people, and hence the rhinovirus is exposed to more people in the winter than in the summer. coincidence is not causation. Fewer people are sicker in warm weather because so many people aren't stuck in their houses with sick people 

[joemutt]

this is scientifically sound, non-panicky advise from the ever-pioneering institute for tropical medicine in antwerp, belgium.

https://www.itg.be/E/Article/coronavirus-impact-on-people-living-with-hiv

[guitargal]

My new doc asked me about my pneumonia  vaccine.  I moved around a lot and some of my records are not clear. I know I had at least one pneumonia  vaccine  back in the late 1990s.

Should I call and get another this week?
She said something about getting it at 65 years old, but i think that is if i am up to date.

I am 58.

Getting worried about the Corona virus.
I don't  go out much, but have been delivering groceries a few times a day for Instacart. So am in public.

[Jim Allen]

Well, it can't hurt to at least have another conversation with them about this. You say the doc asked but did the doc also make any recommendation?

As far as I was aware and looking at the CDC chart revaccination for PLHIV is recommended ≥ 5 years after the first dose PPSV23, it sounds like you did not have that, if you only had 1 shot.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/downloads/pneumo-vaccine-timing.pdf
Table 1, page 4

[JosephP]

I have been a bit worried about the Coronavirus and my hiv!! I had labs done on 02/25 (already scheduled since last year) and CD4 came in at 814 and UD. I just went to my infectious disease doctor who told me that I need not to worry about the Corona and HIV together... Just take the precautions the CDC has is put in place and continue life as normal. There is no need to panic. I feel reassured but, nonetheless, worried!

[JosephP]

unfortunately our American President seems to understand little about health care. He thinks the "heat" of Spring will kill it off. He believes that a vaccine could be ready in weeks. He doesn't understand the difference between vaccines and cures. He doesn't understand that less access to health care (testing and treatment) WILL lead to furthering an epidemic not ending an epidemic.

Ain't that the truth. He is oblivious.

[fabio]

It's getting even more dangerous now in Greece,from 7 in a short amount of time infections went up to 40. Also,in my island particularly,there are 4 confirmed cases so I will try to take more care now and try not to go out much....

[Delby]

I continue to remain worried as well. It seems that whilst some are saying if you are UD and on treatment, then we should be ok. Other reports suggest it is far too early to know how it will affect us, such as this article:

https://www.itg.be/E/Article/coronavirus-impact-on-people-living-with-hiv

I'm really scared to be honest.

[Jim Allen]

Sorry to hear that you are scared, that's a shit feeling to be living with.

The article I have to say has no added value whatsoever, the same can be said about the ITG one.  Any idiot including myself could have written that within 5 mins.

Yes, some things are unknown, however, there is no evidence currently that with a good CD4 count as a group we are more or less vulnerable than anyone else at this stage, besides, even if we worst-case scenario we are more vulnerable, there is not much practically we can do about it aides from basic risk avoidance and hygiene. 

Living with HIV has taught me one thing, I refuse to live in fear, it's a waste.  Regarding the "what if's" well "If "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts, wouldn't it be a Merry Christmas?" 

[Jim Allen]

I just went to my infectious disease doctor who told me that I need not to worry about the Corona and HIV together... Just take the precautions the CDC has is put in place and continue life as normal. There is no need to panic. I feel reassured but, nonetheless, worried!

Well worth repeating

[harleymc]

I will continue to do my public facing job, I will continue to catch the train to work.

If I get sy.ptoms I will get tested and self isolate if indicated, but not otherwise.

[Delby]

There seems to be a lot of conflicting opinions out there. This article suggests exactly that:

https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article240962946.html