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Some positive travellers post their medication ahead of them, to a friend in the country or the hotel where they will be staying. Remember however that international mail can be delayed or lost altogether, so you should post it well in advance to someone who can verify it has arrived.
Customs officials inspect posted items. If you do post medication ahead, you should fill out and include a customs declaration stating the parcel contains prescribed medication, for personal use only, without any commercial value. Enclose a letter from your doctor advising the medication is for personal use. The letter does not have to detail your condition.
If you are taking your medication with you, always carry your medication in your hand luggage, in case your checked luggage is lost or delayed.
Always carry a letter from your doctor stating that it is prescribed medication for personal use. The letter doesn't have to say it's for HIV. You might askyour doctor to list medications by name with daily doses, unless you are visiting a country with entry restrictions for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Bring enough meds for your trip, plus a few days' extra in case you're delayed or change your travel plans. But don't bring an excessive amount, as customs and immigration officials may treat this as evidence of intention to overstay your visa.
Most medications should be kept at room temperature, and some require refrigeration. Keep this in mind if you're planning to travel long distances by car or bus in summer! Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Airplane cargo compartments are unpressurised and unheated, so liquid medication may freeze or leak during the journey. Carry these medications in hand luggage with an appropriate letter to satisfy security restrictions.
If you inject medication such as Fuzeon(R) (T-20) or insulin, contact your country's consulate of any country you're planning to visit and ask about their laws on needles and syringes. In some cases it may be easier to post them ahead and only carry what you will need to inject on your journey.
Check with your airline(s) ahead of time to find out their policy on carrying needles onboard an aircraft. For example, QANTAS allows you to carry as many needles as you will need during the flight, plus a small excess as a margin for error. The rest of your supply must be carried in your checked-in luggage. As usual a letter from your doctor is required as proof you need them for a medical condition.
Syringes should be sealed and needles should have caps on them. Remember to dispose of used needles carefully.
Talk to your doctor before you leave about whether it is possible to schedule your inections so you don't have to inject oboard. However, this may not always be possible, especially on longer flights, so you should make plans to inject while in flight.
You can prepare your Fuzeon solution before your flight and keep the liquid in a cold pack for up to 24 hours.
Try to avoid injecting during moments of turbulence. These are more common just after take-off and during the final descent, as teh plane passes through the clouds. At cruising altitude the flight is normally smoother and you will find it easier to inject.
Find somewhere private to inject your medication. The airline you're flying may recommend asking your flight attendant for assistance. Otherwise, this leaves the toilet cubicle.
Injecting in this space gets easier with practice. Sit down if possible and use your legs and thighs to lightly brace yourself in case or turbulence.
Before you fly, prepare a small kit with everything you will need to inject. A medium-sized toiletries bag is perfect.
Bring alcohol wipes and use them to wipe down the lids of your Fuzeon bottles and any surface you will touch during the process of injecting your medication.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap, and do not touch anything other than your medication before injecting it.
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