The holiday season can lead to a more relaxed attitude towards safe sex practices, but it’s vital to maintain safe sex practices, whether it’s a holiday fling or sexual activity within a longterm relationship. Regular STI testing, condom usage, and reducing sexual risk factors are crucial for safeguarding oneself and others during the festive season. The holiday season may encourage a sense of spontaneity and thrill that could disrupt usual safety measures, but remember, festive sex doesn’t equate to reckless sex. Let’s celebrate responsibly and safely, with the principles of safe sex never being compromised.
Professor JoAnn Passmore from the University of Cape Town (UCT) is leading a research group that is developing technology to identify genital tract inflammation, even in cases without symptoms. This technology will help combat sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV).