13 July 2011 - With the holiday season in full swing,
HIV Scotland is reminding Scots to pack their condoms.
People tend to let their guard down on holiday; however unprotected sex is a risk not worth taking and is making a contribution to the current STI epidemic in Scotland.
Roy Kilpatrick Chief Executive: “although there is no cure for HIV you can protect yourself by practicing safer sex and having regular sexual health checks. Condoms are still the most effective form of protection against HIV. No one is immune to HIV. Whether positive, negative or untested each of us plays a part in protecting ourselves and others - good sex is safer sex.”
Top tips for safer sex on holiday:
- Be prepared – take condoms and lube with you
- If you forget to pack them, buy them at the airport or in the local pharmacy
- Suntan lotions and oils can damage condoms – use water-based lubricants
- Keep your condoms in a cool place away from the heat
- Get to know the local word for condom
- Don’t let alcohol cloud your judgment – stay in control
As well as being available in your local pharmacy, free condoms are available at other distribution points for example Sexual Health and GUM clinics, Family Planning clinics, colleges and universities, gay bars and saunas. For more information check out the
HIV Scotland service finder!
In other words
If you do forget to take them with you, here's a few translations of the word 'condom' which might come in useful:
- French: Preservatif
- Greek: Profilakto
- German: Kondom
- Turkish: Preservatif or Kaput
- Spanish: Preservativo or Condom
- Russian pronounced: Galosha
- Danish or Swedish: Kondom
- Italian: Preservativo
Useful statistics:
HIV infection is on the rise in Scotland
with an average of 400 people diagnosed each year for the past 6 years, most of these infections were acquired abroad (42%), with numbers growing amongst the heterosexual population.
Figures out yesterday showed that cases of sexually transmitted infections in have tripled in a decade, with increases recorded in genital herpes, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV between 1999 and 2009. (
PDF)