Does HIV treatment protect me from COVID-19?

No. There is no evidence HIV treatment prevents or treats COVID-19.

Do not increase your regular dose to prevent or treat COVID-19. Do not share your HIV meds with anyone who thinks it might help with COVID-19.

Some people have harmed themselves or died because they have misunderstood or been told that certain drugs could help in illness prevention when this is not the case.

Prepster have a detailed page on this topic. We agree with them that it is strongly discouraged to start using PrEP or HIV treatments as COVID-19 prevention.

If you decide to start or continue taking PrEP on the basis of possible COVID-19 prevention, it’s strongly advised that you DO NOT take more than the recommended dosing as you normally would.

You've probably heard about a number of trials around the world in which HIV treatments are being used to see if they have benefit to people with COVID-19. These trials are still ongoing, with some having to be paused, and so there is currently no evidence that HIV treatments have any effect on COVID-19, as either treatment or prevention.

BHIVA has some useful information on this topic, with the main takeaway being that the first randomised clinical trial with lopinavir/ritonavir (commonly part of HIV antiretroviral treatment) demonstrated no benefit over standard care in 199 hospitalised adults with severe COVID-19. There is no evidence to support the use of other antiretrovirals.

Latest

Generation Zero: Our New Campaign

It's time to make HIV the conversation, by being part of GENERATION ZERO. Take the pledge to join and help us see the end of HIV in Scotland within a generation.
Lorraine Kelly, Alan Cumming and more invite Scotland to be part of Generation Zero

Iconic Scottish presenter Lorraine Kelly has come out in support of HIV Scotland's new campaign and vision for Scotland, 'Generation Zero'.
Become part of Generation Zero

We’re delighted to have launched our new Generation Zero campaign, backed by people from across Scotland, including Lorraine Kelly and Alan Cumming.
Charities Hail Success of Home HIV Testing Service

HIV Scotland & Waverley Care are celebrating the success of HIV Self Test Scotland and the launch of their new report, An Evaluation of HIV Self Test Scotland.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and people living with HIV in Scotland

We're regularly updating information about COVID-19 (also known as the novel Coronavirus) as we understand that people who live with weakened or compromised immune systems may be experiencing an extra level of anxiety and uncertainty at this time.
One Year On - Chief Executive Comment

Our Chief Executive, Nathan Sparling, comments on the successes, challenges and what's to come after one year at the top.
Consultation on Malicious Disclosure of HIV Status

HIV Scotland has launched a consultation to understand the views of people living with and affected by HIV, organisations and legal professionals on whether malicious disclosure of someone's HIV status should be made a hate crime.
HIV Scotland comment on data leak from NHS Highland

Our Chief Executive, Nathan Sparling, has commented on the news that the personal information of 37 people was leaked in an email by NHS Highland.
Election 2019: Addressing Scotland’s Drug Crisis

HIV Scotland joined with Waverley Care, the Hepatitis C Trust, Hwupenyu and Terrence Higgins Trust to ask General Election candidates to back drug reform.
What is physical distancing?
Police to stop labelling people living with HIV "contagious" on intelligence database

HIV Scotland uncovered the practice, forcing Police Scotland to conduct a review and announcing a stop to the policy. HIV Scotland welcome the move, but say fundamental questions still remain.
New Year, new opportunities

Our Chief Executive, Nathan Sparling, blogs on the opportunities which the new decade offers us in the HIV sector.
Remembering Derek Ogg QC

Our chair, Dr Nicoletta Policek, writes about her memories of Derek Ogg QC - and how he saved her life - ahead of his funeral on Friday 15th May.
Sex, Health and Mental Wellbeing during COVID-19 Questionnaire

You are invited to take part in an anonymous and confidential survey about the sexual, physical and mental health experiences of people living with HIV and PrEP users during Scotland’s COVID-19 lockdown.