CDC Warns: People with HIV Face Higher Risk of COVID Reinfection

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that people with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) have an increased risk of COVID-19 reinfection. This finding sheds light on the relationship between HIV infections and COVID-19 reinfections. The study, conducted in Chicago, compared reinfection rates among individuals with and without HIV, accounting for various factors such as demographics, residence, and COVID-19 vaccination status.

The CDC researchers analyzed data from over 450,000 COVID-19 cases in Chicago between March 2020 and May 2022. They found that 5 percent of individuals experienced a COVID-19 reinfection more than 90 days after their initial infection. Among those with HIV, 6.7 percent experienced reinfection, while among those without HIV, the rate was 5.2 percent.

The study also discovered that the median age of individuals with HIV who experienced reinfection was 43 years old, compared to 36 years old for individuals without HIV. Additionally, those with HIV were more likely to have received a full vaccination round plus an additional dose compared to those without HIV (31.8 percent versus 22.1 percent). Moreover, a smaller percentage of individuals with HIV who experienced reinfection were unvaccinated compared to those without HIV (87.5 percent versus 91 percent).

HIV attacks the body’s immune system and can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) if left untreated. While the vulnerability of immunocompromised individuals to COVID-19 has been established through previous studies, the link between HIV infections and COVID-19 reinfections is not yet fully understood, according to the CDC.

The study also revealed that the reinfection rates for individuals with HIV remained consistently higher than those without HIV, regardless of their white blood cell count, which reflects immune function. This indicates that even individuals with well-controlled HIV infection may have a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection compared to those without HIV, as stated by the researchers.

In light of these findings, the CDC recommends that individuals with HIV adhere to the recommended COVID-19 vaccine schedule and receive booster doses to prevent COVID-19 reinfection. The researchers emphasized the importance of tailored guidance and prevention messaging for people with HIV to reduce the elevated risk identified in the analysis and minimize ongoing transmission of SARS-CoV-2.