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. Do not use the oral "Sabin" form of the
vaccine.
- 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.
- Chickenpox and
he or she is exposed to chickenpox or
shingles. Chickenpox can make a person with HIV very
sick. For more information, see the topic
Chickenpox (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.
