This talk about genital warts and herpes does put a damper on my thoughts about this hobby.  Picking up something is the last thing I think about when considering an escort.  Sometimes I wonder why the girls put themselves at so much risk unless they are already infected and do not care who else gets it.

...trouble is, you have nothing more to fear now than you did before you saw all the ruckus.  

We all need to take responsibility for ourselves and make decisions accordingly.  

Being lectured to or making repeated posts on TER doesn't make anyone more or less safe.

I agree with you.  The problem is that I've run into two people who had no idea they could give herpes from a cold sore (bbbj or cbj).  The first time I thought was a fluke, the second made me think.  

Can't I post something educational once in awhile in hopes someone might find it informative?  There are many who don't know that a cold sore can transfer sexually into genital herpes.  

I'm not trying to scare anyone.  

-- Modified on 3/25/2003 5:31:21 PM

Seems to me that there is no better forum than this to post educational infomation about the hobby/profession we all share (with the exception of a special STD/Medical Board on TER, like you proposed back in January.)

The safest option is clearly abstainence or masturbation, with a monogomous relationship a very close second.

Otherwise it's either picking up people in a bar or seeing a provider.  Though I'm not sure we'll ever see conclusive evidence since accurate research is a bit difficult, I believe that seeing a provider is likely the safest alternative.  Even with all of the education about STI's and how to prevent them, way too many people in the general population either use no protection, don't use it often enough, or don't use it correctly.  Further, how many of those people get checked on any kind of regular basis, if at all?

Most reputable providers know how to use protection and generally always do.  Most also get checked regularly.

Though I don't believe the brothel structure is the best option for legalization, I will however point out that there are no documented cases of any NV brothel worker ever having had an STI to the best of my knowledge.  There are similar stats for other countries where providing is legal and where health issues are closely tracked.

- JTH