Pozhet hopes you are all well and are looking after your health both mental and physical. It is a difficult time for everyone and it is important that we all make sure we don’t let COVID-19 (Coronavirus) completely take over our daily lives. We have had a few queries about COVID-19 so have put together a few points for your information.
Medications
During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) health emergency, people living with HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are understandably concerned about access to their medications.
There is enough medication for everyone. All you need to do is to keep one month’s supply at home and to ensure prescriptions are refilled two to four weeks in advance. There are currently no expected shortages for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C medications. Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) recommends that people concerned about going to the pharmacy in person should talk to their pharmacy about delivery options.
Doctor appointments
Many doctors are happy to do phone or video consultations so give them a call if you need to speak to them. Many sexual health services are offering tele-health consultations for stable and suitable clients to limit the need for travel and reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure. Give your doctor or service a call if you need a consultation.
Antiretroviral medications
It is also important to emphasise that contrary to reports of HIV drugs being trialled as a treatment for COVID-19, there is currently no evidence on whether antiretroviral medications (including PrEP) provide protection against COVID-19.
Be careful about where you get your information about COVID-19. Discussions about COVID-19 on social media can be confusing and not always based on evidence.
For further information about COVID-19 and HIV:
NAPWHA has a page with regularly updated information about COVID-19 and HIV.
napwha.org.au/covid-19/
Positive Life NSW has news and information about COVID-19 and HIV.
positivelife.org.au/latest-news/covid19-resources.html
Positive Life NSW also has a section about how to contact HIV related services during this time.
positivelife.org.au/latest-news/nsw-hiv-sector.html
For the latest factual information about COVID-19:
NSW Health provides updates and detailed information about COVID-19, particularly as it related to NSW.
nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Australian Government Department of Health provides Australia wide information.
health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-
