Sex outside Switzerland

It is also recommended to follow the Safer Sex Rules for sex on business travel or on holiday abroad. This is because the prevalence of HIV or hepatitis in other countries differs significantly from the reality in Switzerland. In many places, for example, a large part of the population is affected by HIV and has poor access to prevention and therapy.

There are still countries that enforce entry restrictions for people living with HIV. Information on current restrictions can be found on www.hivtravel.org. Further information on the legal situation can be found under Foreign travel.

Vaccination

Get vaccinated to protect yourself against infections. Hepatitis A and B, HPV and Mpox can be transmitted during sex. Depending on the region, other vaccinations may also be recommended. In some cases, it may take several months until you have full immunisation. Seek advice from an expert in good time, such as at a centre for travel medicine. Talk openly about the possibility of having sex. Only then can you receive suitable advice.

Protection

You are responsible for protecting yourself against HIV. Depending on the region, it can be difficult to obtain high-quality condoms, lubrication or HIV PrEP. Take enough protection with you to be prepared for any eventuality – even if you are not necessarily planning on having sex.

In an emergency

If HIV protection does not work, emergency treatment exists in the form of PEP. To be effective, the treatment must be provided within a matter of hours. HIV PEP is available in most hospitals worldwide. You should also contact the emergency hotline for your health insurance to discuss the next steps and costs. Generally, the compulsory basic insurance covers treatment costs in the event of illness abroad.

Testing

After having sex with many different partners, it is advisable to get tested for HIV and other STIs. Seek advice. The sooner infections are detected, the lower the risk to health and of unintentional further transmission.