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E-Module

An HIV and Rehab Resource

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  • About
    • 1 – What is this resource about and who is it for?
    • 2 – Why was this resource created?
    • 3 – How can this resource be used?
    • 4 – Can this resource be used for teaching?
    • 5 – How was this resource developed?
    • 6 – Who contributed to developing this adapted resource?
    • 7 – Who funded the development of this resource?
    • 8 – Disclaimer
  • Section 1
    • 1.1 How is “rehabilitation” defined in this resource?
    • 1.2 How can rehabilitation help people living with HIV?
    • 1.3 How can the World Health Organization’s “ICF” help us think about rehabilitation for people living with HIV?
    • 1.4 How can the Episodic Disability Model help us think about rehabilitation for people living with HIV?
    • 1.5 Who provides rehabilitation for people living with HIV?
    • 1.6 Do rehabilitation providers need special skills or training to care for people living with HIV? If so, what?
    • 1.7 What roles do rehabilitation providers have related to HIV?
    • 1.8 When is rehabilitation clinical intervention useful along the HIV care continuum?
  • Section 2
    • 2.1 What do rehabilitation professionals need to know about the stages of HIV infection?
    • 2.2 What do rehabilitation providers need to know about CD4 count and viral load?
    • 2.3 What is the impact of HIV on body systems and why does this matter for rehabilitation providers?
    • 2.4 Who might rehabilitation providers treat?
    • 2.5 What do rehabilitation providers need to know about antiretroviral therapies?
  • Section 3
    • 3.1 What are the rehabilitation interventions that address impairments common among people living with HIV?
    • 3.2 What are the rehabilitation interventions that can address the activity limitations and participation restrictions common among people living with HIV?
    • 3.3 More information on the rehabilitation interventions available for people living with HIV
    • 3.4 – What do rehabilitation providers need to know about their patients’ beliefs and use of traditional healers, spiritual leaders and alternative therapies outside the formal medical system?
  • Section 4
    • 4.1: Intersectionality Theory in the Context of Rehabilitation
    • 4.2: Children and Youth
    • 4.3: HIV and Aging
    • 4.4: Substance Use
    • 4.5: Trauma
    • 4.6: Racialized Populations
    • 4.7: Indigenous Populations
    • 4.8: HIV, Sex and Gender
    • 4.9: HIV and COVID-19
    • 4.10: Is HIV itself a disability?
  • Section 5
    • 5.1 What are outcome measures?
    • 5.2 Why is it important to use outcome measures during rehabilitation with people living with HIV?
    • 5.3 How do rehabilitation providers know if an outcome measure will be useful in practice?
    • 5.4 What are floor and ceiling effects in outcome measurement?
    • 5.5 What is the difference between generic and HIV-specific outcome measures?
    • 5.6 How should you decide which outcome measures to use?
    • 5.7 How do you access a copy of an outcome measure?
    • 5.8 What are rehabilitation-related outcome measures that can be useful for people living with HIV?
  • Case Studies
    • Case #1 – Acute Care, Cardiorespiratory and Neurological
    • Case #2 – Musculoskeletal – Knee Pain
    • Case #3 – Aging, Cognition, Community, Stroke
    • Case #4 – Complex Case – Musculoskeletal, Episodic, Cardiorespiratory
    • Case #5 – Diabetes, Neuropathy, Substance Use
    • Case #6 – Transition from Paediatric to Adult Care
    • Supplemental Case Studies without Leading Questions
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4.9: HIV and COVID-19

COVID-19 is an illness caused by a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The main symptoms are fever, cough and breathing difficulties. A small proportion of people develop severe pneumonia and require intensive care. People living with HIV appear to have a slightly increased risk of dying from COVID-19.1 People living with HIV who have underlying health conditions such as obesity, poorly controlled diabetes and high blood pressure appear to be at higher risk.1 In general, the most important risk factors for death from COVID-19 are older age, an organ transplant and a recent diagnosis of blood cancer.1 People with CD4 cell counts below 50 or an opportunistic illness in the last six months may choose to take extra precautions to protect themselves from infection.1 Overall, data suggest that people living with HIV who are on effective HIV treatment have the same risk for COVID-19 as people who do not have HIV.2 People living with HIV may choose to get vaccinated if they have not had a severe or immediate allergic reaction to any of the vaccine ingredients.2  People with weakened immune systems should also be aware of the potential for reduced immune response to the vaccine and consult their medical team.2 As a result it is recommended that even when vaccinated, people living with HIV should continue to take every day preventative actions to protect themselves from COVID-19.2

1 aidsmap.com. COVID-19 and coronavirus in people living with HIV.

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What to know about HIV and COVID-19.

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