Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. With regards to the current threat of West Nile Virus (so much in the news of late and spreading nationwide), what are the specific increased risks to the health of HIV+ individuals if they should contract West Nile Virus?
What if anything can be, or should be, done by those who are HIV+ to minimize their risk for contracting the disease? This also applies to anyone who is immuno-compromised and has gotten, to the best of my knowledge, no response from NIH, CDC or any other health organization, especially by the HIV/AIDS medical authorities.
Mark H. Katz, M.D.
Regional HIV/AIDS Physician Coordinator
Kaiser Permanente of Southern California
Several of our experts were asked this question, and all "found" that there was essentially nothing publicized or written on the possible interaction of West Nile virus and HIV. Perhaps this explains the lack of response from the NIH or CDC. Well, at least we are responding--simply to say the answer is apparently not known! We do know that persons living with HIV can "handle" and do just as well as persons without HIV with certain infections, while others may take a greater toll. Maybe over the next months more will be learned about this; right now we can only make guesses.
There is a web-site sponsored by the CDC which has information on West Nile Viurs, we do not know whether or not they address the issue of HIV, but it may be of use. Thank you for asking such a thought-provoking question.
Please see:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm
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