Most confirmed coronavirus cases are mild, but some people are more likely to develop severe COVID-19. Some of the risk factors of developing severe COVID-19 include obesity, older age, hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. A new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that HIV infection is a significant independent risk factor for both severe/ critical COVID-19 presentation at hospital admission and in-hospital mortality. Nearly a quarter (23.1%) of all people living with HIV who were hospitalized with COVID-19, died, the report said.
The report is based on that analysis of clinical surveillance data from 37 countries regarding the risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes in people living with HIV. It found that the risk of developing severe or fatal COVID-19 was 30% greater in PLHIV compared to people without HIV infection.
“Underlying conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are common among PLHIV. Among male PLHIV over the age of 65 years, diabetes and hypertension were associated with an increased risk of more severe and fatal COVID-19. These conditions are known to put people at increased risk of severe disease and death,” the report stated.
HIV patientsshould be prioritized for vaccination
The report highlighted the need for PLHIV to stay as healthy as possible, by taking their ARV medications regularly and preventing or managing underlying conditions. Further, it underscored that people living with HIV independent of their immune status – should be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination in most settings.
Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, said that the report will have important policy implications providing data to confirm that HIV is a risk for poor outcomes from COVID-19 and increases the urgency to see all PLHIV on treatment and with access to COVID-19 vaccinations.
According to the WHO, it will soon release updated Guidelines on HIV prevention, testing, treatment, service delivery and monitoring. This is to ensure that people with HIV continue treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
HIV has claimed 34.7 million lives so far, and it continues to be a major global public health issue, said WHO. It asked countries to redouble efforts to avoid increase in HIV infections due to HIV service disruptions during COVID-19.
SOURCES: https://www.thehealthsite.com/news/hiv-increases-risk-of-severe-and-critical-covid-19-who-826130/
