Your sexual health during party season

Sex is one of the main ways HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed on, but you can prevent this from happening by using a condom or Femidom.

HIV can also be passed on through oral sex. The risk is very low, however, and you can reduce it further by avoiding oral sex if you have any bleeding, ulcers or cuts in your mouth, especially if you have just had dental work. For more advice see our page on oral sex.

When you're living with HIV it is important to avoid STIs, as these can have a knock-on effect on your immune system and can increase your viral load. This could make you more infectious and therefore more likely to pass on HIV if you have unprotected sex. Some sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, don’t have any symptoms so you may not know you have one. If you have had unprotected sex or think you have an STI, you can have a check up at a sexual health clinic to find out and get treated. Find out more about STIs.

If you have unprotected sex and your partner doesn't have HIV, there is a course of treatment called Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) which may prevent them becoming HIV positive. PEP is a month-long course of antiretroviral treatment.

You need to take PEP within 72 hours of being exposed to HIV but the quicker you start it the better. Ideally your partner should go to a sexual health clinic or the accident and emergency department (A&E) of the nearest hospital straight away as the sooner it is started the better chance it has of working. A&E is open every day of the year, so over Christmas it is the best place to access PEP. Find out more about PEP.

Of course STIs aren’t the only outcome of unprotected sex. You and your partner could end up with an unplanned pregnancy if you aren’t using condoms or contraception.

There are different types of contraception, such as the pill, to prevent pregnancy. But if you are living with HIV it is important to use condoms or Femidoms as well to stop HIV and other STIs being passed on. If you do have unprotected sex, emergency contraception can be taken up to five days later to prevent a pregnancy. Find out more about contraception.

Sometimes it's hard to remember to protect ourselves, especially in the heat of the moment, or after a few drinks. Alcohol and drugs can lower your inhibitions and make you do things you wouldn't normally do. If you are going to parties over Christmas, carry condoms and lube with you. That way you will always be prepared.