Scots have been urged to have safe sex

Thousands of Scots are preparing to jet off on holiday during the summer and rates of sexual infection are on the increase.

Doctor Jamie Inglis, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at Health Scotland, said unprotected sex should ring alarm bells with everyone.

Last year, 250 Scots were diagnosed with HIV - the highest number of new cases since 1987.

The risk of any infection from unprotected sexual intercourse is very high when you're on holiday Dr Jamie Inglis

Cases of other dangerous sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like Chlamydia are also increasing.

Health officials say the situation is so worrying that a return to the harsh sexual warnings of the 1980s may be required.

Then a high-profile television campaign detailed the risks of HIV which can lead to Aids.

Dr Inglis said: "The risk of any infection from unprotected sexual intercourse is very high when you're on holiday.

"We see young people coming back from all parts of Europe particularly eastern Europe - where the rates of HIV are rising dramatically.

Sexual history

"So the risk of picking up an infection depends on what you know about the individual you're having sex with."

The best advice was to use a condom in order to protect yourself and your partner, Dr Inglis added.

He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated 42 million were infected with HIV.

Dr Inglis said: "So if you have any unprotected sex with someone whose history you don't know while on holiday, then the risk of catching something is really quite significant."