I'm new to this hobby and I'm concerned about sexually transmitted diseases.  How do you deal with this issue.  I'm clean and want to stay clean

Then always wear protection.

Don't have any physical contact with anyone infected with a STD.

In practice, however, it isn't possible to know who is infected and who isn't although seeing partners who get checked for STDs on a regular basis reduces your risk enormously.

If you don't know the STD status of your partner the standard advice is to wear a condom for ALL activities. That reduces her contact with your bodily fluids and somewhat reduces your contact with hers and therefore reduces the risks for many (but not all) STDs by a factor of between 7 and 20. Note that condoms do not eliminate risk. They just reduce it.

You should also get checked for STDs on a regular basis. Most STDs can be treated. Many do not have obvious symptoms. Getting checked on a regular basis means, at the very least, that you will not become a source of infection spreading disease in the community.

Note that I am not a doctor and this is just my opinion based on a lot of reading.

if you're concerned then better use a condom all the time, avoid BBBJ & DATY. If you really want those, then at least keep your eyes open, and don't do it if you see anything suspicious looking (i.e sores, warts, etc.)

Ditto,
I love BBBJ but there is a slight risk.  Whatever you do, always wear a condom for FS.  Most important, as the previous poster said, be very aware for anything suspicious like a sore anywhere.
I saw a couple of black and blue marks on a provider once and I was ready to leave but I figured with a condom I was safe.
Next time I will leave and be cautious.

IMHO always wear a condom. BBBJ, DATY and greek are out of bounds. I also think that research into which provider you will see, i.e avoid "high mileage" providers helps reduce risk. Do not see providers who routinely are described by reviewers as participating in risky business.

Thanks for the advise.  It's very helpful

ONe more question.  Are providers offended if you ask them about std's?  I'd like to broach the subject with the provider but want to make sure this is not OK.

what are you going to ask them? Whether they have an STD? I guess I know the answer to that one. You can ask how often they get checked. As to whether they will be offended, I guess it's all a question of how and what exactly you ask.

and willing to talk about the subject of STDs.

The way I often approach the matter is to offer to show the lady the results of my most recent STD screening. In the conversation that follows she will usually indicate when she was last screened and often she will offer to let me look at the results of her most recent screening. I have never actually asked to look. I'm careful but I'm not paranoid and there is a point where you have to show some trust in the person you are with.

There was a thread on the National Board in which several providers stated that they would like to see the exchange of STD screening results become routine.

A good place to get tested in Los Angeles is the AIM Health Care Foundation (see link below).

Probably the best concise statement I've seen on the subject of testing and condoms was posted by 2sense in the message http://theeroticreview.com/msgBoard/viewmsg.asp?MessageID=37507&boardID=12&page=6

-- Modified on 2/21/2003 2:52:04 AM

That depends, he could see some of the hysterical Providers, who cover everything...while claiming to offer a TRUE GFE...Or ask Knowledge Is Power...since, the only thing we seem to agree upon, is his name...Of course the knowledge he speaks of, is stickly his...I say read EVERYTHING, Select partners wisely, keep a cool head and don't panic, test regularly and if something doesn't feel right, walk away, don't ever do something you don't feel comfortable with. Fine tune your instincts, along with visual, smell, taste and touch. Knowledge about these things, will serve you well...Peace, Robyn

I state facts, you state opinions.

Goodbye

Your right, telling him to always wear a condom, is a fact. So what...?? By giving "So called facts" You give one side. I choose to allow those who would seek to be educated, to look for All the facts, not just those you choose to quote...You say I'm closed minded, perhaps when it comes to one individual, force-feeding information to others, I probably am. But I believe in freedom of choice. There is much to be learned, and believing one has learned it all, can be very dangerous. All I have said is, don't look to just one source of information, continue to search. Information changes daily, hourly. A lot of what is out there IS propaganda, for special intrest groups. That's why I say, continue to be educated...Peace, Robyn

Yes it blows me away how many DFK,DATY with providers who BBJTC and don't think twice about it. I brought this up once and was flamed.

People don't like to think that they're part of the problem, so they deny, deny, deny.  And lash out at those who speak the truth.

You can get any number of diseases any time fluid is exchanged between you and another person.  Kissing, getting your willy waxed, anything.  The only solution is to limit your exposure and get yourself checked.

There is another solution...find another hobby if you're that paranoid.

Infoplease, you obviously don't have a significant other!