Josh Robbins Shares Summer Travel Tips for People With HIV
READ TIME: 4 MIN.
By Josh Robbins
Summer is finally here and with that comes trips to the beach, barbecuing with family friends, vacationing -- fun times! However, for people living with HIV, this time of year also presents a few obstacles. So it is important for people living with HIV to have solutions ready to get them out of the house to enjoy the summer months.
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I wanted to offer you these tips from�Josh Robbins, an HIV patient and advocate, on how people living with HIV can enjoy the summer and what comes with it (parties, traveling, etc.):
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Traveling near or far?
When summer arrives, so does the heat. If you have a�prescription that needs to be refrigerated, wrap it in a cold pack in your luggage. You should also make sure that you have several days' worth of medication in your carry-on luggage in case it gets lost.�
If you are traveling a long distance and your medication needs to be taken with food, be sure to pack a snack. You will also be outside of your normal adherence routine, so consider setting an alarm to remind you to take your medication.�
If you are traveling away from home for a long period of time, check with your pharmacy and doctor in advance to make sure you have enough medication to get you through this vacation, especially if you get delayed during your travel. When you have 7 doses remaining, it is imperative that you request your refill.�
Talk to your doctor
Whether you are going on a fun summer vacation or just want to enjoy a summer BBQ, communicate with your doctor about complications you have be experiencing from the medication or diagnosis that may interfere with your plans. Your doctor may be able to alleviate some of your concerns.���
For example, one of the most common symptoms that tend to stop patients living with HIV from enjoying summer activities is diarrhea. You may be someone that actually makes plans based on the bathroom visits. Although it may be uncomfortable to discuss, there are treatment options that may be right for you.
� Treatments for diarrhea exist -- ask your doctor about�Mytesi�(crofelemer), which is a prescription drug now available -- the first and only antidiarrheal drug that was specifically studied in and FDA-approved for people living with HIV. You are not alone, 1 in 5 people living with HIV report experiencing diarrhea.
Get organized
Whether you are on vacation or enjoying a party, the time may slip your mind. Make sure to set alerts and calendar reminders for taking your meds, as well as document the important phone numbers and contact information for your doctor, your pharmacy, as well as your insurance company.
Stay Healthy
During those hot (and humid) summer months, make sure to drink a lot of water.
It's also important to get enough sleep and exercise, eat healthy and take your meds on time. Organize the best you can to be ready for the physical stress of summer activities and travel. Also, if you are surrounded by multiple people, it is very important to always protect your immune system -- so make sure to wash your hands frequently.
Most importantly: Don't overdo. Say no when you have reached your limit -- physically, mentally, and socially.
Trust Yourself
Listen to your own voice: Enjoy the summer in the perfect way that makes you happy, comfortable, and healthy.
Get support from friends or family
To provide a platform for people living with HIV to acknowledge and show gratitude towards someone who has helped them along their journey, Josh Robbins and Maria Mejia launched the My HIV Thank You campaign for people living with HIV/AIDS to share their personal stories of how someone -- a doctor or other healthcare provider, friend, family member or person who has passed on -- has made a positive impact on their HIV journey. By sharing stories, in the form of audio or video, words or pictures, at HIVThankYou.com, participants have an opportunity to share a moment of gratitude and help make a difference for others affected by HIV.
