Journey affords thrilling adventures, but it surely’s essential to guard your well being wherever you go. Whereas informal sexual encounters throughout holidays are widespread, defending your self from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is extra essential than ever – particularly with rising traits in antibiotic resistance.
Why safety issues when travelling
When having fun with holidays abroad, practising safer intercourse is simply as essential as getting journey insurance coverage or making use of sunscreen. STIs can pose a severe danger to well being, so there’s a want to make use of condoms constantly and appropriately with all new or informal companions.
There is a concerning upward trend of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea infections, notably in widespread vacationer locations throughout the Asia-Pacific area. This consists of international locations equivalent to Thailand, China, Cambodia and Vietnam. These infections are generally referred to as ‘super-gonorrhoea’ within the media.
Therapy challenges
Gonorrhoea has developed resistance to numerous antibiotics, together with ceftriaxone – thought of the ‘last-line’ remedy possibility. This implies healthcare suppliers have restricted alternate options when this remedy fails.
Whereas ceftriaxone resistance stays unusual within the UK, instances are being detected with rising frequency. The information reveals a worrying sample:
- the variety of ceftriaxone-resistant instances has risen from round 2 per 12 months till 2021 to 2 per thirty days in 2024
- most instances are linked to worldwide journey, notably to and from the Asia-Pacific area
- of specific concern are extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains, which have resistance to each main and secondary remedy choices
- the variety of XDR instances has almost doubled when evaluating latest intervals to earlier years
Broader STI context
Inside the UK, the overall number of gonorrhoea diagnoses (not just those with resistance to ceftriaxone) have reached record-breaking levels in recent times.
Know the signs
Many individuals with gonorrhoea don’t have any signs, making common testing important. Nonetheless, doable indicators embody:
- thick inexperienced or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis
- ache when urinating
- discomfort within the rectum
- decrease belly ache and weird vaginal bleeding
Take motion
When you’ve had condomless intercourse whereas travelling:
1. Get examined if you return to the UK, even when you do not have signs
2. Keep away from sexual contact in the event you discover any signs
3. Search remedy promptly after a analysis – untreated gonorrhoea can result in severe well being issues together with pelvic inflammatory illness, infertility, and being pregnant issues
Testing choices
Testing is fast, free and confidential. Relying on the place you reside, you possibly can:
– order an STI self-sampling kit on-line
– go to your local sexual health clinic
Prevention is best than remedy
When you find yourself planning a visit overseas, go to the Travel Health Pro website to seek out out extra about well being dangers in your vacation spot.
With resistant infections turning into extra widespread prevention stays essential. Utilizing condoms with new or informal companions is the easiest way to guard your self each at dwelling and overseas.
Returning out of your travels with good recollections is much better than bringing again an an infection that might have severe well being penalties and be tough to deal with.
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