HIV+/AIDS and Foreign Travel to Thailand

[marc11864-old]

My advance apologies as I'm sure this topic has been covered but can anyone tell an HIV positive, first time visitor Thailand what I might need to know regarding travel there?

Many of the sites that I've gone to refer persons with either HIV or AIDS to the Royal Thai Embassy for furthur information as "Those suspected of carrying AIDS, may be denied entry". As I'll be taking my meds with me, it'll be obvious to some that I'm at least HIV+. Has anyone had any difficulties? If privacy regarding answering this issue is required, email me through my profile page.

Thanks in advance.

Don't worry about it. Customs will not check you on arrival.

[Smiles]

I agree with Boygeenyus (though I suppose there are always exceptions to the general rule).

Not one single time in 6 years of coming to Thailand once or twice a year have I ever been asked to open any bags on arrival at Don Muang. Usually the immigration folks just look incredibly bored, and signal me on through to the big 'SAWATDEE' sign overlooking the luggage conveyor belts.
Once you've got your luggage it's through one more checkpoint where they look at some piece of paper and wave you on through to the humidity and pleasure of being back in Thailand. They look even more uninterested than the first guy!

I'm sure someone here will chime in with a horror story, but the above has been my experience every time.

Cheers ...

My advance apologies as I'm sure this topic has been covered but can anyone tell an HIV positive, first time visitor Thailand what I might need to know regarding travel there?

I would suggest hand carrying a more than adequate supply of medications. Keeping them in already opened prescription bottles will most probably get you through customs, should they ever look. How long will you stay? If you needed to emergency replace them by shipping them from the USA or Europe you would most probably be charged by customs over one-third their extremely high retail cost, despite whether you received them free through insurance or not.

Although it has been reported that Thais are finally obtaining meds the supply is by no means certain. At first glance I would think the quality, and even origin (SA? India?) might be suspect. You might have difficulty matching your current regime (I understand you shouldn't change meds).If they are available for Thais, it does not mean foreigners could obtain them. You would probably at least need a prescription. A Thai doctor might sign over a prescription provided by a western doctor (sort like an American going to Canada or Mexico to get something overpriced in the USA). As to finding an "HIV clinic" for foreigners there are mainly Thai hospitals with this and recently reported in this forum (please try the search). A letter from your doctor introducing you and requesting particular assistance, if ever needed, might be helpful.

About two months ago I researched Thai hospitals web pages (in Bangkok) that cater to or are popular among farangs and none listed "HIV Care" as even available - thus the expertise of Thai medical practitioners in this field in regards to monitoring (testing), advising, ... should be suspect. I did this research for a farang couple that asked me that same question in regards to their desire to retire overseas - therefore I am very interested in further replies to this thread.

[gearguy]

See:
http://www.traveller2000.com/bangkok/hospitals.htm for a list of Bangkok Hospitals

and Bumrungrad Hospital (www.bumrungrad.com (http://www.bumrungrad.com)) has HIV services listed on their
web site. The doctors are almost all US or European trained and several specifically
list HIV care as a speciality. They have profles of their doctors and almost all the ones for
HIV have US training and are Board certified in the US.

I think BNH on Convent would also have staff as well.

Unless your HIV meds are unusual or in clincal trial status, you should be able to get what you need if for some reason you did not bring enough. Good advice tho to bring a copy of a prescription from your doctor nad maybe a letter explaining your current medical status and any special issues.

[catawampuscat]

A friend of mine with an immune decifiency problem does have a problem when he comes to Thailand..When he gets a cold or stomach virus it takes him a very long time to regain his health.. I am not a health expert but if I were in same situation I would bring plenty of medications for colds, stomach viruses, and whatever else is common in the West but may not be easy to find here..
I frequently get intestinal viruses (self diagonis) as the santitary codes in the restaurants are not followed as closely as they should..Hot water is not available for handwashing in most lower or medium priced restaurants and even soap is not always available..Sanitary after toilet practices are not always as one would like especially for food preparers and handlers.. I am sure you have taken the available hepatitus vaccines but if not, take the shots for type A and type B..
As I write this I realize best thing to do is to talk with your primary doctor and follow his advise..Sorry if I am being overly obvious but I have seen my friend sick for long periods and hope you will be ok..My friend is ok now by the way..

an immune decifiency problem

Is it too awkward for you just to say HIV? It's not a four-letter word, you know.

[catawampuscat]

I have no problem whatsoever with the words or the conditon..In this case, my friend has never told me or other friends that he has HIV AIDS..While the likelyhood that he has a different immunity disease is almost zero and all his friends are aware of his illness, he doesn't discuss it by name but does talk about the effects.. I don't know why he doesn't say he has HIV but I respect his right to address his medicial condition as he wishes..He has enough to deal with.. I am uncomfortable even in this anonomous situation in naming his immunity problems out of respect for my friends privacy.. This sounds a bit weird even to me but it is how I feel..

Whilst on our crusades, we gays tend to forget there are also other immunodeficiency conditions besides HIV aids. Sometimes such a condition is genetic, sometimes it developes for no medically understood reason such as unexplained fatigue syndrome, sometimes it is environmental, sometimes it develops as a side effect to drugs, eg, chemo.

[gearguy]

Cat brings up a good point as well; make sure your immunizations are all up to date. Hep A and B, tetnus, ditherthia, thyphoid, etc.

Make sure tho that, if you don;t go to your regular doctor (check out a travel medicine clinic at a local hospital) that they know your HIV status. Some vaccines formulations use live but attenuated virus and are not recommended for HIV patients. Or even if you live or are partnered with an HIV+ person.

For example, some polio and typhus vaccines.

I got a full round of vaccines before my first visit years ago and generally consult the travel clinic about every other year for refreshers. Generally you'll only need to get maybe tetnus and typhus (I think) boosted every few years. Most other vaccines are thought to provide protection for 10+ years or more or even lifetime.

US Gov CDC web site has excellent travel medicine info for all countries, recommended vaccines and precautions.

Most things have been covered here Marc, Bumrungrad Hospital is well respected but the Red Cross hospital near Silom do HIV consultations if you do have any problems whilst in Bangkok. I would not mention your HIV status to any Thai Embassy's as each Embassy can react accordingly to their own rules. As a positive person I would think that you are already immunized against Hep A and B (which is always a good idea for any travelers to Thailand) and a flu vaccine would not go amiss either. Your doctor will advise you on these.
Medications, carrying enough plus a safety margin will be good, but I would have the pills in an open prescription bottle depending how many you are carrying and also have a copy of your doctors prescription just in case you are stopped and an over zealous customs guy wants to know what your drugs are. Like Smiles I have been traveling to Thailand since 1987 and have never been stopped going through the 'Green' but one never knows.
Have a safe trip and enjoy.

Whilst on our crusades, we gays tend to forget there are also other immunodeficiency conditions besides HIV

The link for the exhaustive CDC Immunocompromised Traveler advice, general for immune deficient (and specific to HIV, as well) is:

www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=special&obj=hivtrav.htm

They also have a good checklist for anyone's travel "medical kit" at:

www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=recs&obj=travelers-health-kit.htm&cssNav=browseoyb

I am aware of the HIV testing clinic at Bumrumgrad (is it the Red Cross clinic?) but still can't find where their web site lists HIV care, and still don't see it listed as any Bangkok's hospital's specialty. It's not an issue with me as Thai medical care's reputation is quite high and I'd expect it to be quite adequate in this respect, however, I'd greatly appreciate hearing from a farang who has had experience with this within and without Thailand.

[Boxer]

You might also like to know that the Christian Hospital on Silom Road also now has an HIV unit for gay men (I think entrance turn right and right again) with free testing. The Red Cross Centre Bkk or Anonymous Clinic as it is called is just that and very helpful, check times open if you have to go low cost too. In Pattaya Doctor Phillipe Heartt 2000, or Chonburi Hospital is the main centre here and could advise i am sure if a problem.

[marc11864-old]

and i have to say, this is why I like this board... occasional bickering from us all aside, it is made up of many helpful people. :)

Thanks again guys!

One other question...

Would you advise contacting the embassy regarding my status or would you consider it a "non-issue". Ultimately, I'm not going on a sex junket anyway. Just going to see my partner and the sites and sounds that are exclusive to the region.

Again, many thanks!

Non-issue. What business is it of the embassy? Keep it to yourself and you'll be fine.

I also get a bit sick after a few weeks in Thailand.Less sleep,drinking piss,mcdonalds,burger king,ice cream,hamburgers,sex,kissing ,drinking out of unwashed glasses and the bloody air conditioning.

I usually get the flu,coughing,bronchitis.I tend to only get bronchitis in Thailand and at night time.Also eye infections.
I went to the hospital in Pattaya and he put me on oxygen mask for about 5 mons ,he told me im not use to the pollution,and to turn the air conditioner off and use a fan and open window which i did at the day night hotel and my breathing got better.
I am a bit confused why you are on meds as you say you were only diagonosed in JUly 2005.Your cd4 must be low.
You should also get a flu vaccine shot from your doctor before yo go ,and a pnuemonia vaccine shot.Ask your doctor to give you both injections.Hopefully you have already had hep B and hep A vaccinations?
I think some air conditioners are not clean which can cause probs to your immune and respiratory systems.I dont think its a good idea you toungue kiss barboys either.The thing is you will probaly forget your diet when on holidays there which can affect your health.