Flu season and living with HIV

October 2007     View PDF     En español

Concerns for people living with HIV

HIV kills or damages cells in the body’s immune system. This impairs the body’s ability to fight infections, like the flu or common cold. People with HIV are more likely to get complications from the flu, such as pneumonia. They are also at higher risk of dying from the flu. Therefore, people living with HIV are considered a priority group to get a flu shot in order to prevent or lessen complications from the flu, particularly heart and lung problems. HIV levels may increase during the four weeks after getting a flu shot. If you’re living with HIV, plan your routine blood draws and flu shots carefully.