Doctors have warned that a popular dating trend could leave singletons exposed to a range of sexually transmitted infections — such as gonorrhea and syphilis.
So-called ‘snowmanning’ involves the interests of a new sexual partner ‘melting away’ within 24 hours.
And according to a recent survey, one in five Brits have been victims of it.
The prevalence of the trend, coupled with the fact 80 per cent of Brits admit to having unprotected sex, could spark a rise in nasty infections, doctors have warned.
Dr Crystal Wyllie, GP at Asda Online Doctor, warned those who commit ‘snowmanning’ often disappear without exchanging contact details with their sexual partner.
This could mean previous flings who they may have passed an STI on to would be none-the-wiser, and potentially continue to spread it.
That’s why she is urging people to use contraception or test for sexually transmitted infections to stay safe this festive season.
A poll of 2,000 Brits over the age of 18 revealed just over a third (33 per cent) often have casual sex over Christmas week.
The trend has been dubbed ‘snowmanning’, with their festive fling ‘melting away’ the next day, mirroring the iconic Christmas tale
And 21 per cent said they are commonly ignored the following day by their fling.
Over a quarter (27 per cent) of those surveyed said they’ve previously reignited an old flame from their hometown, while 26 per cent plan to find a holiday hookup at work, or during a night out at a bar or club.
The survey revealed 24 per cent of people often meet their festive fling at a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party.
More than one in ten (15 per cent) admit to making impulsive decisions about sex when drinking alcohol at festive gatherings, while 11 per cent feel lonely and enjoy the company of someone else by having a holiday hookup.
However, many Brits are unprepared for these spontaneous sexual encounters and have unprotected sex, putting them at risk of unplanned pregnancies and STIs.
‘December is a time of celebration and connection, but it’s important to stay informed about sexual health,’ Dr Wyllie said.
‘Planning ahead with contraception, or accessing support after unplanned sexual activity, is key to enjoying the festive season while staying safe.’
It comes as condom use continues to decline — with only a fifth of Brits saying they use them — and the UK is gripped by a massive surge in STIs.
Official data shows 401,800 STI cases were diagnosed — including in children as young as 13 — in England last year, up almost a third on 2020.
Specifically, cases of gonorrhoea increased by 7.5 per cent to 85,223 and syphilis by 9.4 per cent to 9,513 cases.
Some experts have pinned surging rates on a post-lockdown boom in people having condomless sex with new partners.
STIs are an umbrella term for pathogens spread by sexual contact.
They include chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, are while often treatable can lead to serious health complications if left to develop.
These include pelvic inflammatory disease or chronic pain.
In extreme cases, chlamydia and gonorrhoea can even lead to infertility while syphilis can cause serious neurological and cardiovascular issues.
The NHS advises waiting 14 days after risky sexual contact before testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea and four weeks for syphilis and HIV.
This is because it can take this long for levels of the pathogens to reach detectable levels in tests.
Most STIs can be easily treated, but it’s important to not ignore symptoms and get yourself tested.
Some common symptoms of an STI include discharge from your vagina, penis or anus, itching in the genital area, a burning sensation when you pee and bleeding between periods and after sex.
The NHS stresses that wearing a condom is the best way to prevent getting an STI.
