Avoid sexually transmitted infections and HIV!

Summertime is synonymous with holidays and a carefree attitude. The summer campaign reiterates the importance of always using a condom when having casual sex, and places renewed emphasis on testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Sexually transmitted infections include HIV/AIDS, gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes, human papillomavirus and chlamydia. They often do not manifest any symptoms and are detected too late. However, there are treatments available.

Around 2/3 of sexually transmitted infections are contracted before the age of 25, with 1 in 4 new infections affecting adolescents.

What are the risks?

• Having sex without a condom.
• Sharing a used syringe or snorting equipment.
• Having skin-mucous membrane contact with the blood or other bodily fluid of an infected person.

What should I do if I've taken a risk?

• Contact your doctor or an emergency department
  immediately.
• Contact the National Infectious Diseases Service (Service national des maladies infectieuses) at the Centre hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL) (2nd floor of the Municipal Hospital (U20)), phone: (+352) 44 11 30 91), which offers free and anonymous testing for HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.
• Contact a specialist centre, such as HIV Berodung or the Family Planning Centre (Planning familial).
  

Actions that entail no risk of passing on an STI

The following actions entail no risk of passing on an STI:

• touching skin;
• kissing without exchanging saliva;
• shaking hands;
• drinking from the same glass;
• going to the toilet;
• visiting the dentist;
• visiting the hairdresser;
• performing first aid;
• being bitten by a mosquito.