Hi,
We have had several of both who have run the spectrum from very mild symptoms to patients requiring prolonged hospitalization, ventilation, and in several cases having expired.
Many of our MSM PrEP patients have been so meticulous about social distancing that they have chosen to suspend PrEP as they perceive themselves at absolutely no risk. For the most part, social distancing has been taken very seriously in a significant portion of the community here and our results with COVID19 show it.
The COVID19 response by our community has been impressive. From an early "national hotspot" that was thought to have possibly "seeded the rest of the nation's pandemic" to already entering Phase 1 of reopening with steadily declining case and deaths. A nod also to our medical infrastructure as we NEVER exceeded capacity and have actually pioneered some resource sharing and vent sharing protocols for hospital systems nationwide to mirror.
Of patients we have lost to COVID19 who were also LWHIV they almost all had NUMEROUS other comorbidities. Generally they were 40+, MSM, h/o of CVD, HTN, DM, renal issues, and asthma. Based on our experience with COVID19 overall I truly believe their HIV played a minor role if one at all in the course of their ARDS from COVID19. I would note the metabolic syndrome, copd/asthma, renal disease, and other chronic illnesses along with a major influence of healthcare disparity and poor healthcare literacy as the chief contributors to their death.
We have seen a significant portion of patients LWHIV who were tested as part of workplace testing, were SARS COV-2 positive and stated "they never had any indication of sickness" - including fever.
Just our experience here.
------------------------------
John Brissette
New Orleans LA
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 05-12-2020 19:30
From: Amber Siegel
Subject: COVID and HIV/PrEP
I am just curious if anyone has had a patient with HIV or on PrEP who has tested positive for COVID-19. So far all of the patients we have tested that were symptomatic tested negative. They are not social distancing by any means. We have seen an influx of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia but no COVID-19. A common denominator for many or I should say most of these patients is TAF. I would like to know what others are seeing in their neck of the woods.
Thanks
Sent from my iPhone