In many regions of the world, both schistosomiasis and HIV/AIDS are endemic, resulting in patients harbouring co‐infections. Because interaction with host CD4 ⁺ T cells is a characteristic of schistosome as well as HIV‐1 infections, bi‐directional disease effects may be sufficiently different from sequelae caused by either infectious agent alone to warrant alteration of public health approaches in areas of co‐endemnicity. Studies published over the past decade provide useful insights into interactions between schistosomiasis and infection with HIV‐1, and overall support the hypothesis that special emphasis on treatment of schistosomiasis in populations with elevated prevalence or risk of HIV‐1 infection is justified.