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People with HIV or AIDS are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications, especially people who have a very low CD4 cell count or who are not taking medicine to treat HIV (called antiretroviral therapy or ART).

What Is the Best Way to Prevent Flu?

Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu. If you are vaccinated, you are less likely to get the flu. And, if you do get sick, your illness will likely be milder, which helps keep you out of the hospital.

People with HIV should get a flu shot every year. It can provide safe and effective immunity throughout the flu season.

People with HIV should receive the flu shot rather than the nasal spray. The shot does not contain live flu virus whereas the nasal spray contains flu virus that is alive but weakened. People with weakened immune systems may have a higher risk of complications from the nasal spray.

You cannot get the flu from the flu shot. You should tell your provider if you are allergic to eggs (since some vaccines are made with flu virus that is grown in eggs) or have had a bad reaction to other vaccines in the past before you receive the flu shot.

What Other Actions Can You Take to Prevent Getting or Spreading the Flu?

In addition to getting a flu shot every year, people living with HIV should take the same everyday actions CDC recommends for everyone. These include:

-avoiding people who are sick;
-staying home when you are sick;
-covering your coughs; and
-washing your hands often.