I'm heading to Asia for a month and have to fly with Air China. They said on the news that they are treating it with ARTs.
I thought wow Thank God I'm already taking one. Kills to birds with one stone. I guess there are benefits to being positive undetectable after all.
Does anyone feel the same way?
I read that they (can't remember which country it was, China?) were going to use Kaletra to combat it. So it's just that drug and not all ARTs I believe. I was on Kaletra for ten years. Horrible drug. It gave me chronic diarrhea and lipodystrophy. But I suppose if it was being taken in the short term the benefits would outweigh any negative side effects.
And like the above said I wouldn't want to risk being exposed to COVID-19 and risky complications. Here in the UK they're already talking about pandemic preparations and how our health service would cope. They will prioritise the strong over the weak. The weak being those over 50 or 60 with pre-existing conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease. I haven't seen any mention of HIV yet. But I value my health and life and want to keep well and alive for a while yet.
I should also add that I read it's the complications that can arise as a result of being infected with COVID-19 especially if you are in a vulnerable health or age group, such as pneumonia, septic shock and sepsis which can kill you.
Also, would your travel insurance cover pre existing medical conditions? Would you even want to fall ill in certain foreign countries with a pre existing medical condition such as HIV?
I've just seen this helpful relevant article today: https://www.poz.com/article/people-hiv-need-kno...
No, it's a very bad idea to go to Asia right now, especially China. Of course your AIDS drugs will not protect you from the Coronavirus. There is absolutely no correlation. If anything, your immune system is compromised whether you are undetectable or not and you are even more susceptible. Still you are an adult and you make your own decisions and are therefore responsible for them. But you did ask our advice.
Those of us with immune deficiencies even on ART may not have the defense mechanisms others might have. I wouldn't take the chance. But that is just me.
First there is no known treatment for coronavirus, per the CDC. They are testing an ART versus a placebo to see if there are any positive results. The only treatment is supportive care, the only way to not "get it" is avoidance. Proper protocols for all viruses should be taken. This is not medical advice, please check with your care team always before traveling!
There is so much to see there, In Beijing for instance....the left lane in the main streets is reserved for people riding bicycles only. You stop at a red light, and look to the left and see 200 or so bicyclists on the left lane.
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