Health and Safety

While these points are peripheral to the main purpose of this site, they do represent the interests of a number of our clients.

Safe Sex

The following safe sex guidelines are recommended. They are published here courtesy of Mick Quinlan of the Gay Health Service.

You Can Be Infected With HIV from:

• Unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse.
• Sharing used drug-injecting equipment.
• Sharing used blades or needles during body piercing or tattooing.
• Sharing used sex toys.
• Contaminated blood or blood products.

The risk can be greatly reduced by the following:

Use condoms for penetration. Condoms can burst, use them properly. Use water-based lubricant only (KY or Bodysilk). Avoid used injecting equipment, needles or blades.

No risk for HIV

• Cuddling, kissing, massage, fantasy, videos, wanking, rubbing, nibbling, nipple pulling, licking genitals.
• Sharing sex toys if washed or with condom.

Low risk for HIV infection:

• Oral sex. Higher risk if blood, semen or vaginal fluid gets into your mouth especially if you have sores, cuts or a sore throat. Use flavoured condoms, dental dams or condoms cut into a square.
• Rimming,. Risky if blood is present. Use dental dams or squared condoms. High risk for other STDs.
• Penetration with fingers of hands. Risky especially if deep cuts are present.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection spread from person to person by unprotected sexual contact including oral sex. Traditionally levels of syphilis have been low in Ireland but since 1997 there have been a number of large outbreaks of infectious syphilis in England, Ireland an other European countries.

It was generally understood that the use of condoms protected against the disease but it is now understood that this is untrue.

Symptoms of syphilis can take up to 90 days to manifest themselves and can initially include ulcers in the genital region. Further symptoms that can present at a later stage include more generalised ulceration and rashes affecting the palms and soles. However, because people can sometimes develop only minor symptoms, it is important for anyone who feels they may be at risk to seek advice from a doctor.

The Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety announced today that there has been a recent increase in the number of people there infected with syphilis.

The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Henrietta Campbell, today said that to date this year 13 people have received treatment for syphilis at Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics. This compares with two cases in 2001, and just one in each of previous years. The Chief Medical Officer also confirmed that most cases, 12 of 13 patients, were men who had sex with men.

Dr Lorraine Doherty, Senior Medical Officer at the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, said: "The department, the four health and social services Boards, staff at hospital GUM clinics and other partner organisations are all working together on a series of measures that we are confident will minimise the risk of more people acquiring syphilis infection and will also ensure that people with this infection receive appropriate care. Advice has been issued to all doctors here asking them to be vigilant for new cases of syphilis and reminding them of the hospital centres where treatment is available."

Dr Doherty continued "It is particularly important that people understand how the infection can be acquired. Unprotected sexual contact of any kind is the biggest risk factor for syphilis transmission. If left untreated, syphilis can cause a number of serious and even life-threatening conditions that include disorders of the heart and nervous system. It can also result in stillbirth among pregnant women and congenital syphilis in children. However effective treatment is readily available at a number of hospital centres."

Dr Michael McBride, a consultant in Genito-urinary Medicine at the GUM clinic at Belfast's Royal Hospitals, emphasised that treatment for syphilis is normally offered with antibiotics and patients will make a full recovery if these are offered quickly.

"Once treatment is started, most patients make a full recovery," said Dr McBride. "The most important factor for patients is to seek medical advice urgently if they think they might be at risk from syphilis. No-one should be fearful about coming directly to one of our clinics or visiting their GP," he said. "We offer a very sympathetic and fully confidential service, and the worst thing that people can do is to suffer in silence when we can provide them with effective treatment and counselling".

In addition to the GUM clinic at the Royal, Dr McBride and his colleagues operate satellite clinics at Daisy Hill, Altnagelvin and Coleraine hospitals.

The four Health and Social Services Boards are also co-ordinating other measures that involve promoting greater public awareness of the risks presented by syphilis. Organisations in the voluntary sector that specifically cater for the health needs of gay people are contributing to this work by promoting awareness about the infection and the availability of treatment.

Drugs

In general the answer to any queries on drugs is "Don't". However, we recognise the fact that some people will from time try some version of the so called "recreational" drugs eg cannabis.

The question most often asked is

If I get intoxicated from smoking cannabis, is there any way I can sober up similarly to drinking coffee for alcohol?
According to some authorities vitamin C is a specific against the toxins from cannabis. They suggest the drinking of some form of vitamin C drink such as orange juice.

S Is For Safety

• Trust your instincts.
• Run, if you can
• Try not to use violence yourself.
• If approached, don't argue with a weapon.
• Keys or a comb can be used for self-defence.
• If picking up someone new, tell someone old.
• If leaving a venue alone, attach to others.
• Report the crime against you to someone.
• If you are hit make sure you see a doctor.

You are not to blame for being attacked.

Homophobia is a disease which affects mainly heterosexuals. The problem is, if left untreated, we suffer, not them."

Guidelines For Women Driving Alone

These guidelines were originally devised by the Automobile Association for women. They are recommended as also suitable for TG persons. For the full text of the leaflet apply to any AA office.

When Driving

• Always lock the doors and keep the windows closed as much as possible.
• Keep your handbag and any valuables out of sight. Carry all luggage and shopping in the boot Do not leave jackets/coats hanging on the back seat.
• If somebody approaches your window or a car seems to be trying to stop you, use your horn. Noise is a proven deterrent to attackers.
• If you are driving through unfamiliar territory study your route in advance. Carry an adequate map and avoid having to ask for directions.
• If you think you are being followed drive into the car park of the nearest Garda station, or into a busy public place like a garage forecourt. Trust your instincts - don't tell yourself that you are imagining things.
• When stopped in traffic leave enough space to pull out from the car in front.
• Never give lifts to strangers.

When Parking

• Choose a well lit spot. If parking in daylight and returning after dark consider what the space will look like in darkness.
• Where possible reverse into a parking spot to enable you to drive out. This is particularly useful in a multi-storey car park.
• When returning to your car have your keys in your hand to avoid having to search through a handbag or coat pocket.

At Garages

• Do not leave doors unlocked when paying for petrol.
• Do not leave valuables in plain sight.
• Take the same precautions against personal attack as you would parking anywhere else.

Avoiding a Breakdown

• Keep your car in good working order. Check battery, oil and tyre pressures regularly. Don't let your fuel tank run close to empty - keep it well topped up. Make sure your spare wheel is in good condition.
• If you do not have a mobile phone, carry a phone card and change for a public phone.

If You Have a Breakdown

• You should be a member of the AA. This means you can free-phone reliable help 24 hours a day no matter where you are. When giving details to the Rescue Centre tell them you are a woman on your own. This gives you immediate priority and if necessary the nearest breakdown van will be diverted to you.
• If possible park in a well-lit spot close to a phone.
• Consider carrying a mobile phone.
• If you have to stop on the motorway hard-shoulder leave the car. Stay out of the car with the passenger door open and other doors locked. That way, if threatened, you can secure yourself inside the vehicle quickly.
• If you are on a secondary or minor road remain inside the car with the doors locked.
• Be careful about accepting help from someone who has not been sent by the AA. Check their credentials through a closed window.
• If you decide to accept help take a note of the registration number and colour of the vehicle which stopped and leave these details in your car before getting out.
• Carry a personal alarm and remember your horn. Use them! It is better to frighten somebody that doesn't deserve it than not to frighten a potential attacker.
• If marooned, never hitch a lift

Incidents

• If you see an incident or an accident or if somebody tries to flag you down, think first! Is it genuine? Can I help? It is often safer to report what you have seen by phone.

Addendum from TGI

• Join the Automobile Association. Consider the membership fee as part of your insurance premium.
• Get a mobile phone. The AA gives them free to members. You don't have to use them other than in an emergency which saves costs. Again consider the monthly rental as part of your insurance premium.
• Of course if you call out the AA Breakdown Service you can't say you are a woman on her own and claim priority. However, do tell them you are a TV or CD and ask them to so advise the Patrolman.

I have personal experience of this latter point and the AA personnel are totally professional. They will address you as "Madam" and do everything they can to put you at ease. I once called them out at 1:30am when I had left my lights on and killed my battery. They were on the scene within 10 minutes and soon had me topped up. However, the Patrolman then followed me for about two miles until I was in what he called "safer territory" in case I stalled the engine and couldn't restart! When I commented on this to my local AA office their reply was "we always do that for our lady members"!

Remember the AA is the fourth emergency service!