Blood-borne viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) - How not to make them part of your night out!
Being intoxicated lowers your inhibitions and can put you in risky situations. People don’t always make the best choices when they are under the influence of any drug (including alcohol), so it’s good idea to make informed decisions when you are not intoxicated. The more you think about it, and the more you learn, the better the chance you’ll avoid the serious (and sometimes irreversible) consequences. Be aware!
What have drugs got to do with STIs and BBVs?
- Being intoxicated might influence the decisions you make – the firmer it is in your mind ahead of time, the more likely you are to stick to your decision. This is not just about sex either. Sharing needles and syringes, or other equipment used during injecting, or unsafe tattooing or piercing practices can also lead to BBVs.
- Being intoxicated can make you vulnerable – others may find it easier to ‘talk you around’, you may feel more relaxed or uninhibited or you may not even really be aware of the decision you are making. Again, this applies for other risky behaviours.
- Being intoxicated is no excuse for any behaviour. Some drugs may increase the likelihood of you behaving more aggressively and you may assault someone.
- You may have made the decision to have sex, but if you are intoxicated, you might not use safe sex equipment properly, or you may forget to use it at all.
STIs and BBVs can be transmitted in different ways.
• Through sexual activity or sharing needles (tattooing, piercing or injecting drug use).
• STIs may also be passed on by skin-to-skin genital contact.
For more information about how STIs and BBVs can be transmitted, click here
Common STIs
Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea
Genital herpes
Genital warts
Syphilis
Common BBVs
HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis A,B or C
The WA Department of Health and the WA AIDS Council have put out an STI and BBV resource that you can access online. It outlines the prevention, treatment, symptoms and methods of transmission of various STIs and BBVs.
Making decisions about sex
FPWA Sexual Health Services provides the following some information about making decisions about sex.
- Being intoxicated does affect your ability to make decisions about staying safe.
- Weigh up the pros and cons when making decisions about relationships and sex.
- No one has the right to force or pressure you into having sex. It’s OK to say no.
- Deciding what’s right for you is up to you. When and who to have sex with, how to go about doing it safely, or maybe deciding not to have sex at all – it’s your call.
- Taking advantage of someone if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a crime.
- If you do decide to have sex, make sure you talk about safe sex early on, before the heat of the moment.
- If you have decided that you are not ready to have sex, then think about how you might handle talking about it (how are you going to say no, and how you are going to deal with someone trying to talk you into it). Your friends, parents or a counsellor might be a good place to go for strategies.
Having safer sex (a.k.a - be prepared)
This isn’t the whole story when it comes to having safer sex; however here are some things to think about and a link to more info.
- Not having sex is an option.
- Safer sex means always using condoms and water based lubricants to help reduce the risk of catching or passing on BBVs or STIs.
- If you are using condoms, make sure you are storing them safely and using them properly (check out the box for instructions, or visitwww.fpwa.org.au).
- If for any reason you suspect you may have an STI or BBV, or you have had unsafe sex, shared injecting equipment (including for a tattoo or piercing) see your GP or a sexual health clinic.
For more info on safe sex visit www.safesexnoregrets.com.au.
Being intoxicated can make you vulnerable to sexual harassment, assault or rape. Remember:
- Being forced to have sex is a crime.
- Date rape is a crime.
- Drink spiking (including with alcohol) is a crime.
- Both males and females can be victims and/or perpetrators of sexual assault.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted there is help available at SARC on their 24 hour crisis line on 9340 1828 or Freecall 1800 199 888 or go to their website www.kemh.health.wa.gov.au/services/sarc/have_you.htm. This service is for both girls and guys.
Sharing equipment such as needles, spoons and tourniquets can put you at risk of HIV and hepatitis.
- If a person is infected, blood can contain enough HIV and hepatitis C to be infectious. Traces of blood may be left in or on used syringes, needles and other injecting equipment so it is always safest, if injecting, not to share. For more information go to the WA AIDS Council at www.waaids.com.au
- You can also contract both hepatitis B and C through sharing injecting equipment. Visit the Hepatitis Council of WA www.hepatitiswa.com.au for useful information about reducing risks associated with injecting drug use.
Both tattooing and body piercing involve penetration of the skin and some bleeding. This bleeding can allow BBVs (including HIV) to be transmitted. It is essential that if you are considering having a piercing or a tattoo, you go to licensed professional studios.
Toothbrushes, razors and nail clippers should never be shared because they can break the skin and expose you to potentially infected blood (even though this is rare).