Protect the person with HIV from other infections
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 shot to reduce the chance of getting the flu and infecting others.
- If you have skin infections such as boils, cold sores, 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 (for example, if you're travelling to an area where polio is active). Do not use the oral "Sabin" form of the vaccine.For more information, contact your local travel clinic or health unit.
- Contact the doctor of the person who has HIV within 24 hours if the person has not had:
- A measles immunization and he or she is exposed to measles. A medicine is available that, if given promptly, may help prevent measles.
- Chicken pox and he or she is exposed to chicken pox or shingles. Chicken pox can make a person with HIV very sick. For more information, see the topic Chicken pox (Varicella).
- Learn how to handle food properly. The care and handling of food requires some special considerations.
- Avoid having a person who has HIV clean pet litter or pet living areas, such as cages and tanks.
| Author: | Douglas Dana Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: October 10, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine | |
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