Disease and
Immunization Facts

AIDS | Cholera | Hepatitis A | Hepatitis B | Influenza | Japanese Encephalitis | Malaria | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | Meningococcal Disease | Rabies | Tetanus, Diphtheria and Poliomyelitis | Tuberculosis | Typhoid Fever | Yellow Fever | Dengue Fever

AIDS

What Is It?

• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  
• HIV destroys cells in the body's immune system, crippling the defensive power of the body
  
• Eighty percent of all HIV-infected people acquire infection through sexual contact
  
• Because of conditions in some developing countries there is a significant risk of contracting HIV infection through blood transfusions and injections with contaminated needles that haven't been properly sterilized

Where Is It?

• AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are more common in developing countries, but international travelers should be very cautious about sexual contact wherever they go.

Prevention Tips

• Avoid casual sexual contacts
• Use latex condoms correctly with a vaginal spermicidal jelly for every sexual contact
  
• Never use needles and syringes used by other people
  
• Never use another person's razor, shaver or toothbrush
  
• Don't get tattoos or have any part of your body pierced
  
• If you need a blood transfusion, try to ensure the donor blood has been tested
  
• In non-emergency situations, request to be flown home if blood cannot be adequately screened before transfusion

Available Immunizations

• There is currently no immunization available for prevention of AIDS
  
• To keep yourself safe, avoid casual sexual contacts and never share needles