hiv: preventing other infections when you have hiv
overview
a person who has hiv has difficulty fighting off other infections. you can help protect the person from infections.
- avoid close contact with people who have contagious illnesses until their symptoms have disappeared. this includes illnesses such as colds, the flu, or stomach flu.
- if you have a cold or flu, wear a surgical-type mask and wash your hands before approaching or touching the person with hiv.
- get an annual flu vaccine to reduce the chance of getting the flu and infecting others.
- if you have skin infections such as boils, cold sores or fever blisters (herpes simplex), or shingles (herpes zoster), avoid close contact with the person who has hiv.
- ask your doctor whether you should have any boosters or shots for measles, mumps, or rubella, because these shots may not have been available when you were a child.
- get the special form of polio shot known as "salk" or "inactivated virus" vaccine if you need a polio shot. do not use the oral "sabin" form of the vaccine.
- if you are in the recommended age range, get the human papillomavirus (hpv) vaccine.
- contact the doctor of the person who has hiv within 24 hours if the person has not had:
- a measles vaccine and he or she is exposed to measles. a medicine is available that, if given promptly, may help prevent measles.
- chickenpox and he or she is exposed to chickenpox or shingles. chickenpox can make a person with hiv very sick. for more information, see the topic chickenpox (varicella) or shingles.
- learn how to handle food properly. this can help prevent a foodborne infection. for more information, see the topic foodborne illness and safe food handling.
- avoid having a person who has hiv clean pet litter or pet living areas, such as cages and tanks.
credits
current as of: june 12, 2023
author: healthwise staff
clinical review board
all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
current as of: june 12, 2023
author: healthwise staff
clinical review board
all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
