HTB

Prophylaxis and treatment of malaria in the presence of HIV protease inhibitor therapy

By Christopher L. Karp, M.D

http://hopkins-aids.edu

For HIV-infected individuals from the industrial world, travel to the tropics leads to an increased risk of exposure to a variety of cosmopolitans as well as geographically focal pathogens.

The unavoidable risks of tropical travel can probably be reduced by careful employment of the standard techniques of emporiatic medicine, including:

  1. diagnosis, staging, and stabilization of the course of HIV-related disease (and other chronic diseases);
  2. facilitation of access to medical care during travel;
  3. counseling about the medical geography of the planned route, along with general and specific protective measures (e.g. strategies to reduce the risk of acquiring gastrointestinal and vector-borne disease);
  4. providing vaccination and chemoprophylaxis as indicated; and
  5. providing and educating about the proper use of therapies for common travel-related infections and conditions.

As with other facets of HIV care, consultation with a physician with considerable experience (in this case, in travel medicine) is key.

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