Sex on holiday may increase risk of STIs

The risk of developing an STI from having unprotected sex on holiday is much higher than it would be at home. An individual is three times more likely to acquire an STI if they are having unprotected sex abroad.

An estimated two-thirds of people, when they travel abroad, do not use condoms or use them inconsistently which also accounts for these high figures. Oral sex is riskier than people realise as STIs can also be transmitted this way. Increased alcohol or drug use, freedom from the usual social restraints and peer pressure are some of the reasons attributed to the higher risk of developing an STI abroad.
If you have had an encounter, whilst on holiday or travelling abroad, testing is encouraged as many STIs do not show any symptoms but you may still have been exposed. If someone has sex with a new partner on holiday it is recommended that they be tested when they return home. It is also recommended that the tests they take should include, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV as the number of patients developing these infections whilst abroad has increased greatly in recent years. At Better2Know we can test for individual infections and we have screens where we can test for several infections with one appointment. We can offer tests to patients as soon as 10 days after the incident they are concerned about. Our Early Detection Screen can test for HIV, Hep B & Hep C from 10 days after an incident and we have our Peace Of Mind Screen which can test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis from 14 days after the incident. If you would like to book an appointment please call the number above.