On October 8, the first in a new series of clinical trials began testing the H1N1 influenza vaccine’s effects on HIV-positive pregnant women. Trials with HIV-positive children and youth were scheduled to begin the following week.

These will be the first trials to examine whether the existing vaccine can safely induce an immune response in these higher-risk groups.

HIV-infected individuals have the same risk of getting H1N1 flu, or swine flu, as everyone else. However, they are more likely to develop a more serious complication, such as pneumonia, as a…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a document of recommendations for HIV infected individuals about the H1N1 (swine) flu. Currently, the CDC does not have any information about the risk of H1N1 flu in individuals with HIV/AIDS.

However, HIV/AIDS infected individuals may experience more severe side effects and complications with H1N1 flu, as evidenced by severe side effects to previous seasonal influenzas. HIV infected individuals are more vulnerable to flu side effects because of the low number of CD4 cells or healthy white blood cells that…