Doctors are being urged to watch for a potential spike in STI cases as the easing of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions leads to more opportunities for casual sex.

Clinicians are also reportedly already diagnosing recently acquired HIV infections in patients who had stopped taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) during the lockdown stage of the pandemic.

The warnings are contained in a new guide developed by ASHM (the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine) outlining harm minimisation approaches to casual sex during the coronavirus crisis.

Associate Professor Edwina Wright, chair of ASHM’s Taskforce on BBVs, Sexual Health and COVID-19, said that despite a slump in STI notifications in recent months, people were still flouting lockdown measures to engage in casual sex.