HIV / AIDS

January 2011

What is HIV/AIDS?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks and impairs the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness which leaves people vulnerable to serious infections and cancers. When the body’s immune system can no longer fight infection, the disease is known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.

Symptoms

• HIV may appear as a flu-like illness shortly after infection. These symptoms may include fever, rash, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and glands.  On the other hand, a person infected with HIV may have no noticeable symptoms at all in the early stage.
• The time between HIV infection and AIDS varies widely from approximately 10 years for those untreated to 10-15 years or even longer for those on treatment medication.
• Because HIV attacks the immune system, people infected with HIV often get sick more often or get more serious sicknesses from common viruses, bacteria and fungi.
• The more common severe infections and cancers associated with AIDS include:
  • pneumocystis pneumonia (lung disease caused by a fungus)
  • disseminated herpes simplex (a viral disease potentially affecting the skin, eyes, mouth, genitalia, liver or the brain)
  • esophageal candidiasis (throat infection caused by a fungus)
  • Kaposi's sarcoma (tumours, characterized by red-purple or blue-brown raised blotches, plaques or nodules of the skin and other organs)
  • cancer of the cervix
  • non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (cancer of the immune system)

Top of Page

Transmission

• HIV is spread from one person to another through:
  • unprotected sexual intercourse (anal, vaginal or oral);
  • shared needles or equipment for injecting drugs;
  • unsterilized needles for tattooing, body-piercing or acupuncture;
  • blood transfusions or organ transplantation (in some countries, the blood or organ supply might not be properly screened which increases the risk of HIV transmission by blood transfusions or organ transplantation);
  • pregnancy, delivery and breast feeding (i.e. from an HIV-infected mother to her infant);
  • occupational exposure in health care settings.
• During both symptom-free and symptomatic periods, an infected person can transmit the virus
• HIV cannot survive outside the body, it is NOT spread through:
  • casual contact such as shaking hands or hugging;
  • air, food or water;
  • contact with inanimate objects; or
  • mosquitoes or other insects.

Where is HIV/AIDS a concern?

HIV/AIDS is a global concern. At the end of 2009, an estimated 33.3 million people were living with HIV and 2.6 million people were newly infected during 2009. For country-specific HIV infection rates refer to the joint UNAIDS and World Health Organization HIV map . 

People living with HIV/AIDS:

• Be advised that some countries have entry and visa restrictions for people living with HIV/AIDS.
• For more information, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website for country specific information for travel and visitation restrictions, and/or contact the Canadian consulate office in the country which you are planning on visiting directly.

Related Travel Health Notices

None

Top of Page

Recommendations for Travellers

1. Practice safe sex (anal, vaginal or oral):

1. Always use latex or polyurethane male or female condoms correctly for every sexual contact but do not use both at the same time.
2. Use dental dams (rectangular pieces of thin latex) over the vagina or anus for a protective barrier during oral sex.
3. Before travelling, pack your own supply of high quality condoms and dental dams.
4. Other birth control methods do NOT protect you against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections STIs.
   

2. Avoid behaviour which may increase your risk for HIV and other STIs such as:

1. sexual activity with commercial sex workers and/or strangers;
2. heavy partying, drinking or taking illegal drugs can change your sexual attitudes or inhibitions;
3. sharing needles, syringes, razors, toothbrushes or shavers; and
4. exposure to unsterilized needles for tattooing, body-piercing or acupuncture.

3. Avoid injections, blood transfusions and organ transplantations unless it is an emergency:

1. If you must receive blood or an organ while travelling, try to ensure that the donated blood/organ has been tested for HIV and other blood-borne pathogens;
2. If you cannot ensure the blood/organ has been screened, and you do not require emergency care, return home for treatment.

4. If you need to use needles or syringes:

1. Needles and syringes may be difficult to purchase abroad, bring enough to last your entire trip.
2. Carry an explanation from your health care provider or a medical certificate with you.
3. Before departure, check your airline’s regulations regarding needles and syringes in carry-on luggage.
4. In some countries, a traveller found with needles and syringes without an adequate explanation could be in serious trouble. Since security screening regulations change frequently without warning, and differ from country to country, check regulations before you travel to allow enough time to get the proper documentation.

5. Get tested for HIV:

1. If you think you have been exposed to HIV infection, see a health care provider to get tested.

6. Be aware of sexual violence:

1. Occurrence of sexual violence varies around the world.
2. If you are raped or assaulted, find medical attention immediately so HIV and STI testing and counselling can be provided.
   1. Be aware that some medical services overseas may not be up to Canadian standards. Visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website for a list of foreign government offices accredited to Canada . They can assist you with medical emergency services.

Don’t Forget …

1. Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.
2. What to do if you get sick when you are travelling.
3. What to do if you get sick after you return to Canada.
4. Know what vaccines you need and when to get them.

Other Related Information

• Public Health Agency of Canada – Fact Sheet: Sexually Transmitted Infections
• The Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) - Statement on The Immunocompromised Traveller
• World Health Organization – Information on HIV/AIDS
• UNAIDS/WHO - World map of HIV infection rates