For staff members who travel for the UN, there may
be an increased risk of infection. If you don’t have information
about risk and prevention you may increase your risk of exposure to
HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Being away from
home, we have a chance of having sex with casual partners which
increases the risk of exposure to STDs. In some countries, a large
proportion of STDs now occur as a result of unprotected sexual
intercourse during international travel.
Many of us may relax during travel by drinking alcoholic beverages
and this may further impair our judgement leading to risky
behaviours.
In addition to transmission through sex, HIV is also transmitted
through transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products and the
use of contaminated needles, so we need to take extra precautions in
case of accidents while travelling.
There is no risk of getting HIV when sharing any means of communal
transport with infected individuals such as airplanes, boats, buses,
cars or trains. There is no evidence that HIV can be acquired from
insect bites, such as mosquito bites.
When travelling, here are some 'universal precautions' to take:
- Have a pre-travel medical examination and get
appropriate vaccinations for your destination.
- Arrange for an adequate supply of your prescribed
medication(s).
- Find out about UN medical services available in the country of
destination.
- Ask the UN medical service if you can carry sterile
disposable needles and syringes for your personal use as part of the
UN medical kit if you are going to a country where facilities are
not safe.
- Obtain a medical alert bracelet for medical conditions such
as diabetes or drug allergies.
- Be aware of emergency medical evacuation procedures and
whom to contact for PEP.
- Reduce your risk of injury by following safety precautions
such as using seatbelts and driving carefully.
- Ask if there is a first-aid kit in every vehicle on field
trips and cross border missions.
- If you are injured or lose blood, ask if it is possible to
use a plasma substitute. Efforts should be made to ensure that any
blood you receive has been screened for HIV.
Ask
your doctor about any precautions or needs for travel planning. Have
the doctor counsel and evaluate the risk-benefit balance of
preventive actions such as vaccinations and anti-malarials to
minimize the avoidable risks associated with travel.
Some
countries screen incoming travellers for HIV, although this is
primarily those arriving for extended visits. Some of these
countries may deny entry to persons with AIDS and/or those who are
HIV positive. Moreover, travellers carrying antiretroviral
medication may be denied entry to some countries. An unofficial list
of such countries is compiled by the U.S. Department of State.
If you have any concerns or questions, you should check with the
UN medical services in
your country.
Here are some additional sources regarding travel and HIV (pages will open in a new browser window):
-
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Testing Requirements for Entry into
Foreign Countries
This reference is from the US State Department and is written specifically
for US citizens who want to travel to other countries. That said, it is a
useful reference for anyone who is travelling to another country. Please
note that the United States is not listed; the requirement for the US
stipulates that individuals with HIV/AIDS cannot immigrate to the United
States. It also stipulates that short-term visitors sign a waiver releasing
the United States from health coverage, and it requires that visitors have
sufficient health insurance to cover any medical conditions that may arise
during their visit. For more information on entry for visitors to the US
who are living with HIV, click here.
- Preventing Infections During Travel: A Guide
for People With HIV Infection
A comprehensive website, produced by the US Centers for Disease Control.
