HIV/Aids Protocol

 

Aviation personnel and students infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), who have not been diagnosed with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), may be considered for any class of medical certificate: Class I (ATP pilots will have a multi-crew restriction), Classes II and III and Class IV (restricted to their individual class) if he/she meets the criteria below.

 

 

APPLICABILITY

 

This protocol applies to all Classes of Medical Certificate (1, 2, 3 & 4)

 

 

CRITERIA RELATED TO GENERAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION APPLICABLE TO ALL CERTIFICATE HOLDERS:

 

1.            The license of aviation personnel who are HIV positive and symptomatic will be withdrawn.

2.            Individuals on antiretroviral or another medication will be considered if the Medicine Control Council of South Africa approves the medication.

3.            Medication must be well tolerated by the individual for three-month observation period, during which the medical certificate will be withdrawn

4.            The licensed of aviation personnel with AIDS, will be withdrawn for 6 months post AIDS reversal stages.

5.            The individual must undergo regular medical examination monitoring, no less than 3 monthly, by a physician experienced in the treatment of HIV and AIDS.

6.            The individual must have experienced no acute or serious opportunistic infection for six months prior to certification.

 

 

MINIMUM PARAMETERS TO BE EVALUATED:

 

·         Viral Load (Roche PCR vision II) test on a 3 monthly basis.

·         CD4 count:

 

a)                   Applicants with CD4 count between 350 and 200 will be closely monitored, and where necessary treatment may be initiated.

b)                  CD4 count will be evaluated on a 3-monthly basis

c)                   Applicants with CD4 count <200 will be withdrawn.

 

·         For all applicants with CD4  <200, and/or HIV/AIDS Clinical Stage 4, and/or a Viral Load between 50 - 100 000 a recommendation will be made to start anti-retroviral treatment.

·         A full blood count with differential will be done on a 3-monthly basis and a minimum of 12g/dl Haemoglobin will be acceptable.

·         A full renal function will be performed on a 3-monthly basis.

·         A full liver function test will be performed on a 3-monthly basis.

 

 

WITHDRAWAL OF THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE:

 

The medical certificates of applicants presenting with the following complications/ side effects will be withdrawn, however; certification will be reconsidered if they meet the criteria mentioned above.

 

·         Presence of acute or serious opportunistic infection.

·         The use of any substance or medication that is not compatible with flying.

·         Safety threatening side effects of any medication.

·         Co-existing disqualifying medical conditions or disease.