If I have HIV and also have a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, what can I do to protect myself?

People with HIV have higher rates of certain underlying health conditions. These conditions, as well as older age, can increase the risk for more severe illness if people with HIV get COVID-19. This is especially true for people with advanced HIV.

In addition to following the same recommended safety precautions as everyone else, people with HIV should also take the following steps:

• Keep a 30- to 90-day supply of your HIV medicine on hand, as well as any other medicines or medical supplies you need for managing HIV. Ask your healthcare provider if you can receive your medicine by mail.
• Make sure you get all necessary vaccinations, including the COVID-19 vaccine, seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine and bacterial pneumonia vaccines, as these conditions affect people with HIV more often.
• In case you need to isolate, ask your healthcare provider about telemedicine and other remote care options. 
• Talk to your healthcare provider about what happens if you do become infected by COVID-19. Make a plan for how you will delay your routine medical and lab visits until follow-up testing and monitoring are possible.