THE  RISKS  IN   BRIEF:

You can become infected if blood, seminal or vaginal fluid gets into the blood system. This happens when sharing syringes, but primarily during unprotected sex.

An infected mother can infect her baby in the womb, during birth or when breast-feeding. The risk associated with blood products and blood transfusions has been reduced to an absolute minimum in Germany.

When travelling abroad, you may not be able to expect the same quality of medical care that you enjoy at home. If in doubt, ask whether the instruments used are disinfected and whether only tested blood products are used.

AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are far more common in many countries outside Europe than they are here. And the condoms available there are not always of the accustomed high quality. So: take enough with you - and use them when you have sex with a new partner. Always!

Condoms are only compatible with fat-free lubricants. Oils, greases, fats, creams and vaseline damage the condom. And: condoms are sensitive to heat.