Sexually Transmitted Disease and HIV Prevention

For some, relaxing and having fun on holiday or a business trip involves casual sexual encounters. Surveys show that many people have sex with previously unknown foreign partners while abroad resulting in sexually transmitted disease on return home.

In previous years, 80% of AIDS cases that have been reported in the UK were contracted while abroad. The temptations, pressures and often loneliness involved for business travellers put them in a high-risk category for sexually transmitted disease and HIV and Hepatitis B.

The only sexually transmitted disease that is preventable by vaccination is Hepatitis B - see your Doctor or Nurse for advice 3-6 months before you intend to travel. Hepatitis B is contracted through infected body fluids, including semen and vaginal fluid, and is 100 times easier to contract than HIV.

Whatever normal contraception is being used at home, condoms are crucial for protection against sexually transmitted diseases and HIV.

Condoms

Extra strong condoms should always be used when having casual sex; they should be bought at home, before travelling. Always buy a brand name that you know. In many countries local condoms are often of a poorer quality and will not carry a recognised, European quality, kite mark. Make sure condoms are the right size - condoms purchased in Asian countries are slightly smaller! Latex condoms can be destroyed if you are using sun creams or oil, so keep them separate!

It is important to recognise that the use of condoms only means safer sex - not safe sex. Condoms also have a failure rate of around 5-10% - even more when used when you are drunk!

HIV

HIV rates vary from country to country. In Europe the number of people infected with HIV is higher in Spain and Italy. In African countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe it is believed that at least one in four adults are HIV positive. If you have a sexual emergency while on a trip overseas you will not always be covered on your insurance, so carry extra cash or a credit card with you in the event of an emergency.

It is important to apply advice regarding sexually transmitted disease and HIV to you; many people have the information about the risks of casual sexual encounters but fail to apply that knowledge personally. Remember that abstinence or sex with a trustworthy, lifelong partner is a highly effective way of preventing sexually transmitted disease. Couples who do not have any sexually transmitted diseases and no other sexual partners cannot contract sexually transmitted diseases simply while being on holiday or on a business trip overseas.

Intentional Harm

It is important to be aware of issues of personal safety when travelling overseas - making sure you avoid any situations or locations that could increase the risk of rape. However, if such a situation does occur it is important that on return you seek both medical and psychological help, and alert the appropriate authorities in the country you are visiting or on return home if this is appropriate.

Returning Home

If you return from a business trip with an unusual rash, discharge or soreness, you should stop having sex and see your Doctor or local sexually transmitted diseases Clinic Nurse immediately (sometimes referred to as the GUM clinic). Any treatment or advice will be given in the strictest confidence.

If you think you might have been in contact with an HIV infected partner, it is often best to wait for at least twelve weeks, after contact, before having a blood test. Earlier test results may be unreliable and require repeating if done before this time.