HIV and COVID-19: Risks, Concerns, and the Best Way to Protect Yourself
While there’s currently no scientific evidence that establishes HIV itself as an increased risk factor for COVID-19, experts say that doesn’t mean people living with HIV shouldn’t take extra steps to protect their health. Getty Images
- Currently, there’s no scientific evidence that establishes living with HIV as an increased risk factor for COVID-19.
- Some HIV medications are being used in clinical trials to see whether they can combat SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
- So far, not enough information is known about how effective these drugs could be as COVID-19 treatments.
Like most people right now, New York City–based actor and HIV advocate Dimitri Joseph Moïse has been confined to his apartment for the past month as he self-quarantines during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Moïse, who’s been on TV in “The Last O.G.” and on Broadway in “The Book of Mormon,” has amassed a large social media following for his HIV activism, often fielding questions from other people living with HIV.
He says he’s been hearing more frequently about concerns tied to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I would say some people are definitely worried about whether they are at a greater risk [for COVID-19] because they’re living with HIV,” Moïse told Healthline.
Currently, there’s no scientific evidence that establishes living with HIV as an increased risk factor for COVID-19, according to the
That being said, as confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to increase steeply nationwide, concern is high among members of the community of people living with HIV.