Beyond The Misconceptions: Navigating The World As An HIV Positive Traveler

A medical doctor didn’t want to give Juan Michael Porter II the yellow fever vaccination shot before his trip to Nigeria. What should have been a relatively short appointment turned into him spending an hour trying to convince the doctor to proceed with a required shot for a country that accounts for over 50% of Africa’s yellow fever cases.  

“This doctor said to me, ‘I’m going to do it, but only if you agree to sign a paper saying that you will not sue me, any of my nurses, or my clinic, if something bad happens to you,’” Porter recalls.

It was infuriating for Porter, who currently serves as the communications officer of the U.S. People Living with HIV (U.S. PLHIV) Caucus. Porter, who is also a cancer survivor, says he doesn’t get the same pushback when disclosing his cancer diagnosis.

While he may be prepared to push back and advocate for himself thanks to a supportive family with medical professionals, he recognizes this kind of support is a privilege. He now uses his voice as an advocate, journalist, and editor to ensure that people living with HIV have the care and life they deserve.

Persistent Misconceptions About Living With HIV

Since the global HIV/AIDS pandemic began in 1981, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 40 million people have died from the illness. While there have been incredible strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Porter says one common misconception is that the pandemic is over. 

There are currently 39 million people living with HIV globally, and around 1.3 million people are newly infected each year. Advances in medicine and antiretroviral therapy allow people living with HIV to live long, healthy lives. With proper treatment, HIV viral loads can drop to undetectable levels, meaning the virus cannot be transmitted to others.

Even with the education and treatment options, there are still misconceptions around how HIV spreads, with some people believing it can spread through casual contact. HIV is not transmitted through hugging, shaking hands, sharing food or toilet seats, nor through mosquito bites. The virus only spreads through specific bodily fluids from a person with HIV who has a detectable viral load. These fluids include blood, semen, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, or breast milk.

Unfortunately, these misconceptions can take a psychological toll on people living with HIV and manifest in ways that prevent them from enjoying activities such as traveling.

Traveling With HIV: What People Should Know

As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control points out, countries have implemented travel restrictions for travelers with HIV. In 1987, the United States added HIV to its list of “dangerous contagious diseases” and implemented a travel ban for all travelers with HIV.

Following the removal of regulatory language about travel and immigration restrictions by Congress in 2008, following a statement from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the International Organization for Migration.  Both agencies released a joint statement, declaring that HIV-related travel restrictions have no public health justification. President Barack Obama rescinded all HIV-related travel restrictions in 2010.

Research Country Requirements

Before traveling, people living with HIV need to research entry requirements for countries. There are still approximately 50 countries that either require HIV testing or restrict entry, stay, or residence based on status. According to Porter, Positive Destinations is a great resource to keep on hand as it outlines travel regulations by country.

Remember, visiting and immigrating may involve different requirements. Additional testing or travel requirements may apply depending on the length of the stay.

Long-term stays, often defined as more than 90 days or stays that require a residency or work permit, could mean that medical documentation (including HIV status) may be required before entry. Such requirements are not necessarily standard for short business or tourist stays.

Prepare Medications And Practical Planning

During a trip to Barcelona in 2023, a passenger stole Porter’s HIV medications from his overhead carry-on. During a separate trip to Spain, he left his medicines at a hotel in Glasgow. When a friend shipped them from Scotland, the mail carrier seized them. According to Porter, the challenge is that it’s illegal to ship medications internationally.

Porter says the best thing travelers with HIV can do is to call the U.S. Embassy in that country beforehand and find out what services they can offer. Travelers can also visit a local hospital or health facility for help, but Porter stresses taking prescription copies.

“The reason why is they want to make sure that you’ve been in treatment and that another doctor has prescribed medications,” says Porter. “Doctors will find a cheap generic that is the closest comparable match. It’s important to know that this is standard.”

It’s also essential to have a conversation with your medical team beforehand and discuss options if your medications disappear.

As a safety measure, Porter recommends not traveling with the original pill bottle. He uses a generic pill bottle as a deterrent from thieves. Porter also never places his medication in a carry-on after his medication was stolen on the plane to Barcelona. Instead, he keeps his medicines in a separate bag and with him at all times.

The Legal And Policy Landscape

According to UNAIDS, 156 countries criminalize HIV nondisclosure, exposure, or transmission through specific or general laws or have had prosecutions based on general criminal laws in the past 10 years as of 2024.

Seventeen countries still impose severe measures, including outright entry bans, mandatory testing, and deportation, such as Egypt, Kuwait, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates. Another 33 countries, including Australia, Canada, the Philippines, and Singapore, have partial restrictions in place. These restrictions include requirements for HIV testing in visa applications, discretionary decisions based on perceived healthcare costs, and reduced access to essential services, according to the European AIDS Treatment Group.

In addition to familiarizing yourself with country entry and reporting requirements, people living with HIV should also research rules around HIV disclosure. In some countries, failing to disclose status is considered a crime. For example, Singapore requires disclosure and knowledge of risk before sexual activity, while countries like Zimbabwe have decriminalized HIV exposure, non-disclosure, and transmission.

“In Ohio, for example, having sex without sharing your status is considered a crime. [In some destinations], you have to disclose your HIV status before sexual contact,” says Porter. “But that’s not a consideration in New York City, in the United Kingdom, or in France.”

He adds, “You could be in the heat of the moment, drinking, and suddenly things are going a certain way. If you’ve not disclosed and tell them afterwards, that could land you in jail.”

Safety And Preparedness

Porter understands that traveling with HIV can be intimidating. He recommends role-playing various scenarios with trusted friends. These scenarios include getting care from an uncooperative health professional or disclosing your status to someone you plan to be intimate with.

Regarding preparedness, travel insurance is a great way to ensure that travelers have the proper coverage. Travel insurance ensures that medical emergencies and unexpected costs are covered while abroad.

“It’s important for other people living with HIV to know that they are worthy, you are whole, and deserving, but you also might have to fight,” he says. “Living with HIV is just another part of your life. It doesn’t mean that you have to stop your life or that you can’t travel. You deserve to travel like anyone else.”