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National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention |
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For 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 Travel 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.
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 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.
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.
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Free referrals and information:
CDC National AIDS Hotline |
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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
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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. |
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Last Updated: November 1998