Whether you are going away for business or pleasure, travel is often a chance to let to unwind, relax and play. Greater opportunities for sex with other guys may present themselves and you may be tempted to  take risks you wouldn't usually take at home. 

Many guys don’t realise that sex in other cities is a risky business where they are likely to be exposed to a number of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs). HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and hepatitis B and C are more common overseas than in Australia, especially in Africa and South-East Asia. Some of the STIs acquired during overseas travel are also more likely to be resistant to standard treatments. 

Some guys  may also have sex with a sex worker overseas, without necessarily exchanging money. In many parts of Asia and Africa, HIV and STI prevalence rates are extremely high amongst sex workers. Whereas the Australian sex industry is extremely safe with almost universal condom use, sex workers overseas do not routinely use condoms. This is because the possession of condoms may be illegal, they cannot afford them or they get paid more for having sex without condoms. In order to stay safe, take your own condoms and lube and use them. 

So if you are traveling to other countries or cities where HIV, STIs and BBVs are more common and you engage in risky behaviour, your chances of bringing home some unwanted souvenirs is greatly increased. However, there are a number of things you can do before you leave, while you're away and on your return to reduce your risk. Check out our Pre and Post Travel Checklists below for more information. We also recommend the AFAO produced booklet  At Home...Away..(A Pocket Guide For Gay Men  Who Are Planning To Travel)  

Pre Travel Checklist

• See a GP or travel doctor to discuss your health requirements.
• Discuss vaccinations to protect against common STIs and BBVs, namely Hepatitis B and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccines.  Discuss whether you are at risk of hepatitis A and if you should have the vaccine.;
• Have a sexual health screen and ensure you don’t have a STI prior to travel.  Blisters, bumps, sores all provide a point of entry for HIV or another STI to enter your body.  Having an STI increases your risk of acquiring HIV ten fold.  Getting your STI treated prior to travel will reduce this risk.
• Stock up on condoms and lube and ensure they are stored in a cool place;
• Practice using condoms and get confident in talking about using them before you go.

Post Travel Checklist

• See a GP or travel doctor to have a full sexual health screening as soon as possible.
• If you have had unprotected sex in a high risk country, either abstain from sex or use condoms and lube with sexual partners until you have had a full sexual health screen.
• If you have had unprotected sex in a high risk country within the past 72 hours seek information from your local AIDS Council about HIV post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)