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To reduce the risk of acquiring HIV, hepatitis B and other blood-borne infections: - Avoid injecting drugs for non-medicinal purposes and sharing needles.
- If an injection is essential, ensure the needle and syringe come from sterile packages or have been sterilised by steam or boiling water for 20 minutes.
- Carry sufficient sterile needles and syringes for the duration of your trip and a doctor's note of authorisation for their use.
- Avoid unsterile dental and surgical instruments, needles used in tattooing and acupuncture, ear-piercing devices and other skin-piercing instruments.
Some countries serologically screen incoming travellers (primarily those on extended visits, for work or study) and deny entry to persons with AIDS or those whose test results indicate they're HIV-positive. If you intend to visit a country for a substantial period of time, you should be informed of the policies and requirements of that particular country. This information is usually available from consular officials of individual nations.
This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Trisha Macnair in September 2006.
First published in May 2001.
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