Pretty Pink Poison! HIV and Seasonal Allergies

If you suffer from seasonal allergies like me, you’re probably itchy eyed and sniffling right about now.  If not, YOU ARE SO LUCKY!  As beautiful as the spring can be here in BC, it feels to me this time of year, like the streets are lined with pretty pink poison.  In downtown Vancouver, blossoms on the big tree outside St. Paul’s hospital signal the start of spring … it’s always the first to bloom for some reason.  And of course, it’s not just the cherry blossoms that cause spring allergies – birch and alder are a problem for me too.  To date, there don’t seem to be any studies demonstrating conclusively that allergies are worse or more common in people living with HIV, but there could be a connection.

HIV causes inflammation.  The immune system working extra hard, creating extra antibodies, and if these antibodies are involved in allergic reactions, you might expect to have a nastier response.  But because some people have allergies while others don’t, and some people are very allergic and others just a bit, it might not be particularly useful to know whether allergies are more common or worse “on average” in people living with HIV.  Either way, if you suffer from seasonal allergies like I do, you’ll want some relief!

There are some allergy medications (even over-the-counter ones) that interact with certain HIV antiretroviral therapies, so like with any other drugs, it’s really important to consult with your doctor before starting to take anything.  Some allergy medicines, including corticosteroid nasal sprays for example (like Flonase), can be a problem if your combination therapy includes ritonavir (Norvir, and in Kaletra) because it won’t break down as quickly and could end up building up in your body (see this CATIE article for more information).  Sometimes, the doctor can help you adjust the dosing, so again, definitely talk to her or him about your options.  There might be some natural or alternative approaches that work for you, but again, talk with your doctor.  You don’t want to ignore your allergies.  I’m actually just getting over a bacterial sinus infection (sinusitis) because of the irritation caused by having a runny nose and irritated sinus cavities … not fun!  (This Poz magazine piece deals with sinusitis). 

Whatever you end up doing to help cope with seasonal allergies, I sincerely wish you the best, and believe me, I’m with you SISTER!  At least we have a reason to look forward to rainy weather, right? …  No, I personally thing spring and the onset of summer is worth it … but only just barely!

- Miriam

This was posted on Friday, April 8th, 2011 at 10:00 am and is filed under Body Health, Inflammation . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.

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