I have come to the conclusion, after nearly one year in this hobby, that STD tests should become commonplace in today's sexual environment.  How would we discreetly go about it though?

In the past year, I've had an unusual number of STD screenings done for my peace of mind, averaging one every two months.  The symptoms for several STD infections are often hidden, and the only true way to know is to see your healthcare professional.  I've been lucky enough to stay completely healthy, but with every provider I see, I wonder if the odds are soon to be against me.  A source of anxiety for everyone, I'm sure...

I wonder, now, would a provider appreciate it if I brought her a copy of the results of my last STD screening to certify that I am "clean"?  And on the flip side, if a provider gets tested regularly, for her to do the same?

Perhaps a clinic somewhere that offers affordable and anonymous testing, issuing a "certified STD-free card", perhaps, with an identifying number that could be checked on the internet for verification?  I don't know, just brainstorming here, but a reference in a post I read today referring to this hobby as akin to "russian-roulette" brought it all to the fore.  

What do you ladies and gents think?

 Everyone involved in this lifestyle should get tested on a regular basis. For me its every 3 months and I have no problem with showing my results..I wish gentleman would do the same!

by providers.  I also get tested every three months.

It couldn't possibly work.  One quick example:  Your lady tests today and get a clean report.  She has fun tomorrow and picks up the bug.  You report for fun later and she happily flashes her card then promptly passes on the bug that as yet she doesn't even know she has. Given the statistics this is not likely but clearly a possible event.

Testing is never a bad idea, but the notion that it would give some sort of a guarantee is just not real.  What we would need is to have those tested positive to be honest and refrain from play.

In my opinion StayHome is a jerk in his post. Though I agree with him/her in concept, he/she represents the kind on person who enjoys inflicting harm.  The "sucks!!!!!" way of puting it demonstrates that.  Could this person be the sort who would also play knowing that they have something to pass on?

The attached Link is for AIM organization.  AIM is used extensively by the adult entertainment industry.  Good Luck

-- Modified on 4/2/2003 10:12:17 AM

once every six months to get tested. (Since I only run two to four dates a month I figure that is often enough.)

A fringe benefit is sitting in the waiting room watching the beautiful young women coming through the front door. A girl-watcher's paradise.

As many people have pointed out being tested does not prove that you are infection free if you have had sex since the test. However, it greatly reduces the risk. I like to think of it in the following way. Someone said that when you have sex with someone you are having sex with everyone they ever had sex with. If your partner has been tested for STIs, you are only having sex with everyone they have had sex with SINCE THE TEST. This is obviously a much smaller number than their lifetime total.

In particular, a recent test is a pretty good guarantee that your partner is not HIV positive. The most recent estimates that I have seen indicate that the probability of a man becoming HIV positive from a single act of vaginal intercourse with an HIV positive woman (without using a condom) is about 0.001 (one chance in a thousand). That risk is reduced by a factor of between 7 and 50 by using a condom. If your partner has had sex a few times since the test he (or she) may have been unlucky enough to pick someone who is HIV positive and he (or she) may have been unlucky enough to have become infected and you might be unlucky enough to be infected by him (or her). You might also win the lottery on your next ticket. It does happen.

Complete safety is only achieved by not having sex with an infected partner. Condoms reduce risk of infection but do not eliminate it if your partner is infected. A recent STI test by your partner greatly reduces the risk that your partner is infected. If your partner is not infected your risk is zero, condom or no condom.

Routine testing is highly worthwhile in my opinion.



-- Modified on 4/2/2003 8:10:15 PM

I never put that forward as a foolproof plan.  The idea is to lessen the anxiety I think, especially for me since I do go to the trouble to be tested regularly.

Clearly abstinence is the only way to be certain one does not contract an infection through sexual contact.

However, let's be realistic:  people have sex.  I for one would be more willing to see a provider if she had regular testing, and I would hope that the girls would be more willing to see a client who was tested regularly.

This would be a great service that TER could help support.  The Non-profit orginazation AIM could get on board to do the discount screening.  AIM (Adult Industry Medical) is in Sherman Oaks and offers HIV/STD Screening for the Adult Industry.  The Adult industry has a system in place to keep everyone safe and clean.  You can get a "TESTED CLEAN" card from AIM that is accepted by most talent.  What the hell, it is only good for everyone.

I am totally sure but during the time the Navy had bases in the Phillippines providers were porvided cards after they were checked by doctors. It was a joke on ship while I was there "Did you check her card?" Mostly because of the Clap line outside the doctors office after leaving port.

That means testing would need to be done about 500 times as often to provide the same level of protection as for HIV assuming the same frequency of the disease in the population.

I don't know what the frequency of gonorrhea is in the population here (it was probably pretty high where you were) but according to the CIA ( http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html ) the HIV/AIDs - adult prevalence rate is 0.61% (1999 est.) for the United States.

Given the low prevalence rate and low infectiveness of HIV I would consider testing to be a very worthwhile measure in regard to preventing the spread of this disease.