HIV travel restrictions and retreats

Avoid starting a new treatment combination within a month of your trip, as your doctor may need to monitor and adjust your treatment in case of side-effects or allergic reactions.  (And you don't want these to ruin your trip!)

In the past, some positive travellers have chosen to take a treatment break while they travel, but a recent study shows treatment breaks are more harmful than we previously realised. This is an important decision to make in consultation with your doctor.

Your doctor, nurse or treatments officer can suggest some tips and tricks to help you stick to your dosage schedule when you're travelling across time zones and wrestling with your body clock.

We know from research that posting meds can result in unexpected treatment breaks, as they do not always arrive as expected.  The same risk applies to packing your meds in checked luggage.  Discuss this possibility with your doctor, and maybe carry a week of meds in a pill box in case this happens.

If you really can't take them with you, contact a local AIDS agency before you leave and through them, make an appointment with a local physician to score a prescription for 2-3 weeks of the drugs you need.  You can expect to pay quite a lot of money, but it may be worth it for peace of mind.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common experience for travellers, so you might want to ask your doctor about anti-diarrhoea and anti-naursea medications.

Put together a travel health kit.  Mosquito repellent is vital as mosquito bites can transmit malaria and other exotic diseases. Electrolyte powder can be a life-saver when you're dehydrated by a bad case of diarrhea.

Vaccinations

Most vaccinations are fine, but it is often recommended that HIV-positive people should avoid 'live' vaccines, which contain a live (but weakened) sample of the relevant pathogen.  The safety of these vaccines depends on the strength of your immune system, so ask your HIV doctor for advice.

Bring all your Vaccination Certificates when you travel, in case you need to show them to customs and immigration officials.

The current Cholera, Typhoid and Yellow Fever vaccines are not recommended for people with HIV.  Ask your doctor to provide a Vaccine Exemption Certificate for any vaccination you don't receive.

Yellow Fever is a big deal in central Africa and South America. If you spend time in these regions, you may be denied entry into other countries unless you can provide a certificate of vaccination or exemption for Yellow Fever.

Whether you are travelling or not, it's a good idea to get vaccinated against Hep A and Hep B, flu, tetanus and diphtheria. Remember your booster shots!

Malaria

It is recommended that you take anti-Malaria tablets when visiting any country where Malaria is prevalent. However, you should check with your HIV doctor or pharmacist whether they will interact with your current treatment regimen.

There are drug-resistant strains of Malaria, and co-infection with Malaria can hasten disease progression in people living with HIV. Prevention is best - always wear a tropical-strength mosquito repellent containing DEET and sleep under mosquito netting. Cover up with long-sleeved garments, treated with permethrin. These are all available from any army disposal store.

Liquids

New rules have been introduced to protect travellers from the threat of liquid explosives. You may still carry on board any prescription or over-the-counter medications you require as long as you have proof of need (a letter from your doctor).

Each container of liquid, aerosol or gel in your carry-on baggage must be 100ml or less. Any larger containers must be surrendered at the screening point. Remember to pack any duty free items in your checked luggage!

All containers must be sealed in a single, transparent, one-litre plastic bag. Any resealable bag or one litre capacity or less will do.

Up to 60 percent of travelers to developing countries suffer bouts of diarrhea, often from unsanitary food and water. Studies have failed to show that better meal hygiene prevents stomach problems. An antibiotic called Xifaxan has been approved [in the United States] to treat traveler’s diarrhea; many doctors prescribe it for prevention as well.