SEX tourism has fuelled an explosion in HIV cases in the town. Swindon has seen a six-fold increase in the number of new HIV diagnoses over the past five years.

A significant proportion of these patients acquired the infection after sleeping with prostitutes in countries where the virus is rife.

Dr Guy Rooney, a consultant in genital urinary medicine, runs the Great Western Hospital's sexual health clinic which currently makes 10 to 15 new HIV diagnoses a year.

He estimates that the total number of HIV infected people in Swindon at around 100.

Half of the new HIV cases in Swindon are gay men and the rest are heterosexuals of either gender. Practically none are intravenous drug users.

Dr Rooney said: "A high prevalence of infections among heterosexual people are acquired abroad, either by people who lived in a country with a high prevalence of HIV infection such as Africa or by people who return from foreign holidays.

"A lot of the new cases in Swindon are men who have gone on sex holidays to places like Thailand.

"That accounts for a significant proportion they are not necessarily paedophiles but people who go on holiday to have sex abroad.

"We are seeing a massive rise in sexually transmitted infections across the country. And the picture is the same in Swindon.

"Just five years ago, I was treating about 10 people at the clinic. Now that figure has risen to about 60."

He estimated that accounting for those who had left his care, he had seen about 70 new cases in the last decade.

"People are having sex younger and having more partners," he said.

He urged people to have regular checks if they are putting themselves at risk because early detection improves the chances of treatment.

And he suggested that people starting a new long-term relationship should both get checked out so that they know where they stand. "Generally the survival rates of people with HIV is much improved now," he said.

"With the drugs that are available now, we can postpone HIV infection turning into full blown AIDS almost indefinitely it is difficult to say exactly how long, because there is not enough data available on that yet."

He explained that since the introduction of combination therapy in 1996, deaths from AIDS had declined dramatically.

Meanwhile, AIDS charity The Terence Higgins Trust has announced plans to open a town centre office in Swindon, which will be funded by Swindon Borough Council.

Stuart Riddle, a spokesman, explained that the Terence Higgins Trust hopes to train two workers to run a buddy service for people suffering from the symptoms of AIDS.

In addition the branch will also train a part-time worker to help run the service.

The buddy workers would spend some of their time working at the Great Western Hospital and they would also form part of a drop-in service in the town centre where those living with AIDS can find out about benefits, have their queries answered.

A site has yet to be announced for the new facility but according to the Terence Higgins Trust it will open up within weeks.

As well providing a drop-in centre the charity plans to work with staff at the Great Western Hospital.

Charity spokeswoman, Sue Peters, said: "Traditionally the numbers have been quite small but significant in Swindon.

"Our first role will be to find out how many there are.

"There are five or six people from Swindon who come and see us in Bristol or Bath because up until now there hasn't been any service for them in Swindon.

"People who don't know much about HIV often see it as a death sentence when they get diagnosed.

"We have to put people's minds at rest that they are not going to die next year.

"There is also the whole issue of stigma and discrimination which is still very prevalent.

"For many people it takes them a long time to feel confident enough to tell family and friends about their HIV status.

"We can talk through the issues and give people the confidence to be a lot more public."

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. When a person's immune system has been damaged he or she is open to other illnesses, especially infections (e.g. tuberculosis and pneumonia) and cancers, many of which would not normally be a threat.

Care worker tells his story

A 42-year-old man from the Swindon area gives tells of his experience.

"At the moment my treatment consists of taking two tablets a day. I will have to do that for the rest of my life. I suppose it is a small price to pay.

"I was diagnosed with HIV two years ago. The first sign that something was wrong was when I found that I bruised very easily. If I banged my arm against something, it could come up with a big bruise.

"I had a blood test and I was told that I had the HIV virus. It was a real shock. I was well aware of the risks of HIV, but I suppose I never thought it would happen to me.

"I am not entirely sure how I acquired the virus, but I think it must have been through sexual contact, because I have never been a drug user.

"I would urge everyone to think carefully about taking risks. It can and will happen to you if you do not take the right precautions." Think about what you are doing or regret it at your leisure.