Chapter 117. Health Advice for International Travel (Part 6)

Air Travel and High-Altitude Destinations Commercial air travel is not a risk to the healthy pregnant woman or to the fetus. The higher radiation levels reported at altitudes of 10,500 m (35,000 ft) should pose no problem to the healthy pregnant traveler. Since each airline has a policy regarding pregnancy and flying, it is best to check with the specific carrier when booking reservations. Domestic air travel is usually permitted until the 36th week, whereas international air travel is generally curtailed after the 32nd week.There are no known risks for pregnant women who travel to high-altitude destinations and stay...
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Chapter 117. Health Advice for International Travel (Part 6) Chapter 117. Health Advice for International Travel (Part 6) Air Travel and High-Altitude Destinations Commercial air travel is not a risk to the healthy pregnant woman or to thefetus. The higher radiation levels reported at altitudes of >10,500 m (>35,000 ft)should pose no problem to the healthy pregnant traveler. Since each airline has apolicy regarding pregnancy and flying, it is best to check with the specific carrierwhen booking reservations. Domestic air travel is usually permitted until the 36thweek, whereas international air travel is generally curtailed after the 32nd week. There are no known risks for pregnant women who travel to high-altitudedestinations and stay for short periods. However, there are likewise no data on thesafety of pregnant women at altitudes of >4500 m (15,000 ft). The HIV-Infected Traveler (See also Chap. 182) The HIV-infected traveler is at special risk of seriousinfections due to a number of pathogens that may be more prevalent at traveldestinations than at home. However, the degree of risk depends primarily on thestate of the immune system at the time of travel. For persons whose CD4+ T cellcounts are normal or >500/µL, no data suggest a greater risk during travel than forpersons without HIV infection. Individuals with AIDS (CD4+ T cell counts of3 months or who intend to work or study abroad. Some countries willaccept an HIV serologic test done within 6 months of departure, whereas otherswill not accept a blood test done at any time in the travelers home country. Borderofficials often have the authority to make inquiries of individuals entering acountry and to check the medications they are carrying. If a drug such aszidovudine is identified, the person may be barred from entering the country.Information on testing requirements for specific countries is available fromconsular offices but is subject to frequent change. Immunizations All of the HIV-infected travelers routine immunizations should be up todate (Chap. 116). The response to immunization may be impaired at CD4+ T cellcounts of administered. The estimated rates of response to influenza vaccine are >80%among persons with asymptomatic HIV infection and influenza, pneumococcal infection, and tetanus (Chap. 182). However, at thispoint, there is no evidence that this transient increase is detrimental.