Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and coronavirus disease 2019; impact on vulnerable populations and harnessing lessons learnt from HIV programmes

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can act as a dual prong attack against management of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); it induces harm on both individual and national levels. People living with HIV may show rapid deterioration in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection as a result of physiological or psychological vulnerability. Additionally, the spread of COVID-19—especially in low- and middle-income countries—may limit HIV control measures, delivery and linkage to HIV care and prevention. Attention should be given to pregnant women and the LGBTQI+ community for their higher susceptibility to poor outcomes. Engagement of both governmental and non-governmental organizations is encouraged for better results.

Keywords

• Community role
• coronavirus disease 2019
• human immunodeficiency virus
• LGBTQI+
• outcome
• pandemic