♦ WAG

Guide

Health Resources

Comprehensive sexual health resources for travelers — PrEP, testing, vaccinations, and emergency protocols.

This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal medical decisions. This guide provides general information about available health resources.

Pre-Travel Health Checklist

Before any trip, address these health items:

  1. Get a baseline STI test — know your status before you go
  2. Discuss PrEP with your doctor if you're not already on it
  3. Check vaccination status — update anything that's lapsed
  4. Pack supplies — condoms (your preferred brand/size), lubricant, any prescription medications
  5. Research local health facilities at your destination
  6. Get travel insurance that covers STI treatment and emergency medical care

PrEP Access by Region

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis — Truvada, Descovy, or generics) is 99% effective at preventing HIV when taken consistently. Access varies globally:

United States

  • Available by prescription from any doctor or sexual health clinic
  • Most insurance covers it; copay assistance programs available (Gilead Advancing Access)
  • Without insurance: generic Truvada available at $30-60/month through cost-plus pharmacies
  • Telehealth PrEP services: NURX, Plushcare, QuickMD offer online consultations and mail delivery

United Kingdom

  • Available free through the NHS via sexual health clinics
  • "PrEP Impact Trial" expanded to routine commissioning — now standard NHS service
  • Can also be purchased online from legitimate pharmacies (generic versions)

Europe

  • France: Free through the national health system since 2016
  • Germany: Covered by statutory health insurance since 2019
  • Netherlands: Available through GGD (municipal health services), partially subsidized
  • Spain: Available through national health system since 2019
  • Other EU countries: Availability varies — check local health authority websites

Australia & New Zealand

  • Australia: Subsidized under PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) — ~AUD 40/month
  • New Zealand: Funded by PHARMAC since 2018 — available through sexual health clinics and GPs

Southeast Asia

  • Thailand: Generic PrEP available at some pharmacies and clinics (Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic in Bangkok). Cost: ฿900-2,000/month ($25-$55)
  • Philippines: Available at LoveYourself clinics and some DOH facilities — often free
  • Other countries: Availability limited. Consider bringing a supply from home.

Traveling with PrEP: Carry it in original packaging with your name on the label. Bring a copy of your prescription. Most countries have no issues with PrEP at customs, but original packaging prevents misunderstandings.

Vaccination Checklist

Beyond standard travel vaccinations, these are specifically relevant:

Essential

  • HPV (Gardasil 9): Protects against genital warts and HPV-related cancers. Recommended regardless of age. 2-3 dose series.
  • Hepatitis B: Sexually transmitted and blood-borne. 3-dose series. Check if you were vaccinated as a child — you may need a booster or verification of immunity.
  • Hepatitis A: Transmitted through oral-fecal route. Important for travel to developing countries. 2-dose series.

Recommended for Specific Destinations

  • Typhoid: For South/Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa
  • Japanese Encephalitis: For rural Southeast Asia, extended stays
  • Mpox (Monkeypox) — Jynneos vaccine: Available in many countries. Consider if engaging in sexual activity with multiple partners, especially MSM encounters.
  • Rabies: Pre-exposure prophylaxis for remote areas in Asia/Latin America/Africa
  • Yellow Fever: Required for entry to some countries (parts of Africa, South America)

STI Testing

What to Test For

A comprehensive panel should include:

  • HIV — 4th generation test (detects from ~2 weeks post-exposure)
  • Syphilis — Blood test (window: 3-6 weeks)
  • Gonorrhea — Urine test AND swabs (throat, rectal if applicable). Window: 1-2 weeks.
  • Chlamydia — Same as gonorrhea. Window: 1-2 weeks.
  • Hepatitis B & C — Blood test
  • Herpes (HSV-1/2) — Blood test. Not always included in standard panels — request specifically.
  • Mpox — If symptomatic (lesions, rash)

Testing Frequency

  • Baseline: Before any trip
  • After return: 2 weeks post-exposure for gonorrhea/chlamydia, 4 weeks for HIV (4th gen), 6 weeks for syphilis
  • If regularly active: Every 3 months (quarterly PrEP monitoring typically includes this)

Where to Test

  • U.S.: Planned Parenthood, local health departments, urgent care clinics, STDcheck.com (mail-in), Everlywell (home kits)
  • UK: NHS GUM clinics (free), SH:24 (free postal kits), private clinics
  • Europe: Most countries have free or low-cost sexual health clinics
  • Australia: Sexual Health Clinics (free), GPs (covered by Medicare)
  • While abroad: International clinics in major cities often offer English-language STI testing. Bangkok, Manila, and Bogota have well-known international clinics.

Post-Exposure Protocols

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV)

  • What: 28-day course of antiretroviral medication taken after potential HIV exposure
  • When: Must start within 72 hours of exposure. The sooner the better — ideally within 24 hours.
  • Where: Emergency rooms, sexual health clinics, some urgent care facilities
  • Cost: Free or low-cost at sexual health clinics in most developed countries. May be expensive at ERs without insurance.
  • Effectiveness: ~80% effective when started promptly and taken correctly for full 28 days

If a condom breaks or you have unprotected exposure: Go to the nearest ER or sexual health clinic IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait. PEP effectiveness decreases with every hour of delay. You can sort out logistics and payment later — start the medication first.

Emergency Contraception

  • Plan B / Levonorgestrel: Available OTC in most countries. Most effective within 72 hours.
  • EllaOne / Ulipristal: Prescription in some countries. Effective up to 120 hours.
  • Copper IUD: Most effective emergency contraception. Can be inserted up to 5 days after. Requires a clinic visit.

Mpox (Monkeypox) — Updated Guidance

Mpox remains a consideration, particularly for MSM communities:

  • Transmission: Close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact. Can also spread through contaminated bedding/surfaces.
  • Symptoms: Rash (often on genitals, anus, or face), fever, swollen lymph nodes. May appear 5-21 days after exposure.
  • Prevention: Jynneos vaccine (2 doses, 4 weeks apart). Ask your doctor about vaccination if at risk.
  • If exposed: PEP vaccination within 4 days of exposure can prevent disease; within 14 days can reduce severity.

Travel Insurance for Sexual Health

Standard travel insurance considerations:

  • Most travel insurance covers emergency medical treatment, including STI treatment
  • PEP treatment in an ER should be covered under emergency medical
  • Pre-existing conditions (including HIV) may require declaration
  • Read the policy carefully — some exclude "high-risk activities"
  • Recommended providers: World Nomads, SafetyWing, Allianz Global (check current policies)

Bottom line: Prevention is always cheaper and easier than treatment. PrEP + condoms + vaccination is your foundation. Regular testing catches anything that gets through. And knowing where to get PEP can save your life in an emergency.