Skip Navigation Links
go to: C D C home page; logo: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Safer, Healthier, People
spacer image
spacer image spacer image go to: C D C Home Page go to: Search C D C go to: C D C Health Topics A to Z
go to: C D C - Divisions of H I V / AIDS Prevention Home Page; logo: H I V / AIDS Prevention National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention
Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention

Brochures    |    Home    |    Index    |    Search    |    Site Map    |    Subscribe

This page in Spanish - Esta página en español

image

In the United States or abroad? For business or pleasure? When you travel, you risk coming into contact with germs you might not find at home. Many of these germs can make you very sick.


imageFor people with special health needs, travel can be risky to their health. If you have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-the virus that causes AIDS-you should have all the facts. Travel, especially to developing countries, can increase your risk of getting opportunistic infections. (They are called "opportunistic" because a person may get the infection when their weakened immune system gives it the opportunity to develop.) The best thing you can do when you travel is to know the medical risks and to take steps to protect yourself.

Before You Travelimage

image Talk to your doctor or an expert in travel medicine about health risks in the area you plan to visit. They can tell you how to keep yourself healthy when you travel to places where certain illnesses are a problem. They also can tell you about places that might not be safe for you to visit. Ask them if they know of doctors who treat people with HIV in the region you plan to visit.

Plan in advance for problems that might come up.

imageTraveler’s diarrhea is a common problem. Carry a 3- to 7-day supply of medicine (antibiotics) to treat it. A common drug for traveler’s diarrhea is ciprofloxacin (SIP-ro-flocks-uh-sin). If you are pregnant, your doctor may suggest you take TMP- SMX (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole [try- METH-o-prim - sul-fa-meth-OX-uh-sole]) instead.

imageInsect-borne diseases are also a major problem in many areas. Take a good supply of an insect repellent that contains 30 percent or less "Deet" with you. Plan to sleep under a mosquito net, preferably one treated with permethrin, in places where there is malaria or dengue [DEN-gay] fever. Unless you need to go there, avoid areas where yellow fever is found.

imageAsk your doctor if you need to take medicine or get special vaccinations before you travel. He or she will know which vaccines are safe for you. Your doctor will also know the best ways to protect you from such things as malaria, typhoid fever, and hepatitis. Make sure all your routine vaccinations are up to date. This is very important for HIV-infected children who are traveling.

imageIf you are leaving the United States, make sure you know if the countries you plan to visit have special health rules for visitors. These rules can include vaccinations that may not be safe for HIV-infected people to take. Your doctor or local health department can help you with this.

image If you have medical insurance, check to see what it covers when you are away from home. Many insurance plans have limited benefits outside the United States. Very few plans cover the cost of flying you
back to the United States if you become very sick. Make sure your paperwork is in order, and take along proof of insurance when you travel.

When You Travel

Food and water in developing countries may not be as clean as they are at home. These items might contain bacteria, viruses, or parasites that could make you sick.

imageDo not eat raw fruit and vegetables that you do not peel yourself, raw or image undercooked seafood or meat, unpasteurized dairy products, or anything from a street vendor. Also, do not drink tap water, drinks made with tap water, or with ice made from tap water, or unpasteurized milk.



imageFood and drinks that are generally safe include steaming-hot foods, fruits that you peel yourself, bottled (especially carbonated) drinks, hot coffee or tea, beer, wine,and water that you bring to a rolling boil for1 full minute. If you can’t boil your water, you can filter and treat it with iodine or chlorine, but this will not work as well as boiling.


image


imageTuberculosis, or "TB," is very common worldwide, and can be severe in people with HIV. Avoid hospitals and clinics where coughing TB patients are treated. When back in the United States, have your doctor test you for TB.

imageIn many places, animals may roam more freely than they do in the area where you live. If you think animals have left droppings on beaches or other areas, always wear shoes and protective clothing and sit on a towel to avoid direct contact with the sand or soil.

image


imageSwimming can make you sick if you swallow water. You should never swim in water that might contain even very small amounts of sewage or animal waste. To make sure that you get the most fun from your trip, protect your health (and the health of others) just as you do at home.

imageTake all medications as prescribed by your doctor.

imageIf your doctor has you on a special diet, stick with it.

Take the same precautions that you take at home to prevent giving HIV to others.

For More Information

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers international travel information on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ and by telephone at 888-232-3228. This number also provides an information "menu," including how to receive specific travel advice by fax.

 

Free referrals and information:

CDC National AIDS Hotline
English (800) 342-AIDS (2437) [24 hours/day]

Spanish

TTY

(800) 344-SIDA (7432)
[8 am-2am EST]

(800) 243-7889
(deaf and hard of hearing)
[Monday-Friday 10am-10pm EST]

Free materials:

CDC National Prevention Information Network
(800) 458-5231
1-301-562-1098
(International)
P.O. Box 6003
Rockville, MD 20849-6003

 

Free HIV/AIDS treatment information:

AIDSinfo
(800) 448-0440

Project Inform
(800) 822-7422

Drugs undergoing clinical trials:

AIDSinfo
(800) 448-0440

Social Security benefits:

Social Security Administration
(800) 772-1213

(You also may request a personal earnings and
benefit estimate statement to help you estimate the
retirement, disability, and survivor benefits payable
on your Social Security record.)

Child Health Insurance Program
1-877 KIDS NOW (1-877-543-7669)

CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention Internet
address:
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/dhap.htm

Additional brochures in the Opportunisitic Infections Series:

Coinfection with HIV and Hepatitis C Virus
Living with HIV/AIDS
Preventing Infections from Pets
Safe Food and Water
You can Prevent CMV
You can Prevent Cryptosporidiosis
You can Prevent MAC
You can Prevent PCP in Adults and Adolescents
You can Prevent PCP in Children
You can Prevent Toxo
You can Prevent TB

*Use of trade names does not imply endorsement by the
United States Department of Health and Human Services.

 


Brochures    |    Home    |    Index    |    Search    |    Site Map    |    Subscribe    |    En Español

Last Updated: November 1998
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention
Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention
Contact Us