Our investigation shows that PLWHA face great psychological distress stemming from the negative psychosocial environment in which they live. Education programmes directed at the general population will create a more positive social environment for PLWHA and greatly improve their care. This study was supported by the Special Grant for National Key Technologies R&D Programme for the 11th Five-Year Plan of China (No. 2008ZX10001-007), Beijing. The authors thank the Apoptosis Compound Library mouse medical staff of the five
local CCDCs (Hangzhou, Wenzhou, Jinhua, Quzhou and Lishui) and Zhejiang Provincial CCDC, and Dr Penny Li for advice on the manuscript. “
“Immunocompromised travelers living with cancer can be at increased risk of travel-related illnesses. Their international travel patterns and associated risks remain largely unknown. This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients diagnosed with cancer who presented for pre-travel health advice between January 1, 2003 and June 30, 2011. Demographics, travel patterns, and infectious diseases exposure risks of immunocompromised travelers were characterized and compared selleck chemical with those of immunocompetent travelers. Reported travel-related illnesses were assessed in both groups. A total of 149 travelers were included in this study. Fifty-one percent
had solid tumors, 32% had hematological malignancies, and 17% underwent stem cell transplantation. Seventy travelers (47%) were immunocompromised. Immunocompromised travelers had similar demographics, O-methylated flavonoid trip itineraries, and infectious diseases exposure risks to hepatitis A, malaria, typhoid fever, and yellow fever as immunocompetent travelers. Most of the reported travel-related illnesses were of minor nature. Travelers with cancer who have impaired immunity had similar infectious diseases exposure risks and travel patterns
as travelers whose cancer is cured or in remission. Improved understanding of travel patterns and risks of patients with cancer may assist in providing more focused pre-travel health interventions to this complex subset of travelers. International travel has grown by 50% over the past decade as it has become more affordable and available.[1] In 2009, over 30 million US residents traveled overseas.[2] International travelers, especially those visiting tropical and sub-tropical locations, are at increased risk for acquiring infections that may lead to adverse health events during or upon return from travel.[3, 4] Among immunocompromised travelers, the risk of acquiring travel-related infections may be higher owing to deficits in their immune system and their potential to have attenuated responses to vaccines.