title: The visiting internet Fiancé/ée (VIF): an emerging group of international travelers.
abstract: Here we describe an emerging category of travelers called the Visiting Internet Fiancé/ée (VIF), characterized by their travel to pursue a romantic relationship with an individual they have only encountered online. The VIF is not well identified in travel medicine literature despite having a higher risk for several travel-related issues including sexually transmitted infections, monetary fraud, and international scams. We also propose specific counseling interventions designed to minimize the adverse outcomes faced by the VIF traveler.
authors.affiliation: Skyline College, Student Health Center, San Bruno, CA, USA; Vaden Health Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Theresa A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Sofarelli
authors.forename: Holly K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Birich
authors.forename: DeVon C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Hale
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014195:Travel; D057236:Travel Medicine