Prophylaxis and treatment of malaria in the presence of HIV protease inhibitor therapy
By Christopher L. Karp, M.D
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:
- diagnosis, staging, and stabilization of the course of HIV-related disease (and other chronic diseases);
- facilitation of access to medical care during travel;
- 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);
- providing vaccination and chemoprophylaxis as indicated; and
- 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.