HIV and AIDS: Travel health advice
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Risk to travellers
HIV infection occurs worldwide.
While travellers are generally at low risk for HIV infection, certain types of activities may increase the risk, such as:
- having sex without a condom or other protective barrier
- sharing or using drug injection equipment that isn't sterile
- participating in sex tourism, which is:
- travel for the purpose of having sex, typically in exchange for payment
- more common in destinations where sex work is legal
- getting tattoos, piercings, or acupuncture in settings that don't follow appropriate infection prevention and control practices
- travelling for surgical and medical treatments or procedures, including cosmetic and dental, so make sure to ask if the:
- facility follows proper practices to control infection
- blood and blood products used in the facility are screened for HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections
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Recommendations
Before your travel
Talk to a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations. This includes discussing:
- what vaccines you may need
- medication, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if you may be at ongoing risk of HIV during your trip
Check the travel advice and advisories page for your destination(s). Information on HIV is found in the 'Health' section, under 'Person-to-person infections.'
Travel advice and advisories by destination
Pack your own supply of condoms or other protective barriers. These products may be unavailable or of poor quality in your destination country.
If you need to use needles or syringes for prescription drugs:
- take more than enough to last for your entire trip to ensure access to sterile equipment
- carry a medical certificate from your health care provider explaining that the needles or syringes are for medical use
Living with HIV
If you're living with HIV, before travelling:
- prepare to bring enough of your medications to last your entire trip since some countries won't have all HIV medications
- keep a list of HIV health care providers or clinics in the area you plan to visit
- find out if the destination(s) you plan to visit have special health rules for visitors living with HIV
During your travel
Using condoms
Practise safer sex. Use condoms or other protective barriers consistently and correctly every time you have sex.
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Using PrEP and other HIV medications
If your health care provider prescribed HIV PrEP, use it as directed.
If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, you'll need access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) immediately. Contact one of the following:
- health care provider
- hospital emergency room
- sexual health clinic
If you're living with HIV, take your HIV medication as prescribed by your health care provider.
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Drugs and alcohol
Be cautious if you use alcohol or drugs. These substances can lower your inhibitions or alter your ability to make informed decisions.
If you inject drugs:
- use only new and sterile drug equipment
- avoid sharing drug injection equipment
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Tattoos, piercings and medical procedures
If you get tattoos, piercings or acupuncture abroad, be aware that regulations and standards may differ from those in Canada. Make sure:
- new, sterile needles are used each time
- it's carried out by professionals who follow proper infection control procedures
If you get medical or dental care abroad, make sure the equipment is unused or properly sterilized.
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Increased risk of other illnesses for those living with HIV
If you're travelling while living with HIV, you may be at increased risk of getting a more severe illness from infections like travellers' diarrhea.
Take extra precautions to avoid any uncooked foods. Drink water only if it has been boiled or disinfected, or if it's in a commercially sealed bottle.
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HIV criminalisation laws
If you're travelling while living with HIV, be aware that some destinations have:
- adopted entry and visa restrictions for people living with HIV
- criminal laws that may punish the transmission of HIV, potential or perceived exposure to HIV and non-disclosure of HIV status
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After your trip
See a health care provider if:
- you think you could have been exposed to HIV
- you have symptoms that could be an early HIV infection
- you've engaged in activities while travelling that may have increased your risk of getting HIV, even if you have no symptoms
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