Even with FBSM, I test every 6 months -
and I AGREE, it can be difficult to get them to do that for me. It helps that I'm no longer covered by COBRA and offer to pay CASH.
I am curious about the frequency of STD testing by providers.
1. Do you get tested for STDs?
2. If you get tested, how often do you get tested?
3. What percentage of providers do you think get tested regularly?
4. What percentage of hobbyists do you think get tested regularly?
I was also wondering about how a provider's SOs handle the testing issue as well.
TET
I am still a new provider and as such cannot even think of speaking for others, but personaly I am tested every 3 months. I do try to screen my clients as much as possible and always insit on protection no matter the arguement, and i have heard them all. from the phylosophical to the i am allergic to everything there is.they all have ended in no way.
I talk about it with the ladies I see, so that's a pretty small sample. Based on that sample, however, all providers test regularly, although the frequency varies from monthly to yearly.
TER asked this question of hobbyists a while back and found that 50% never test. Not surprising, but disappointing.
1) Of course, WELL before being a Provider
2) Every 6 months - it's in my Outlook reminder, and PDA
3) Large percentage
4) Horrifying low - but you know men are afraid of doctors! LOL!
He always tested regularly. Most single people I know who are actively having sex, regardless of whether protected or not, get tested. I even tested during my three years of celibacy.
Testing sooner that every 6 months, unless you suspect something, is a waste (modifying my post to say that the health care practitioners have said that it's a waste - not necessarily that I think so). I have had to fight to get them to DO testing as routine as I do; they certainly WOULDN'T if it were sooner.
-- Modified on 1/18/2004 9:33:15 AM
Test MONTHLY if you are a provider as that is a high risk contact every time you "Provide". BBBJ even without CIM can leave gonorrhea and chlamydia w/o symptoms.
If you test in JUNE and DECEMBER but you get exposed in OCTOBER to HIV you may not find out Until JULY and HOW MANY persons would you have needlessly exposed?
If you can't afford private testing go to the county that you reside in.
Testing when you're not being exposed to anything is a waste.
I tend to agree with you, and I DO offer bbj. But, see my post.
what do you think an HIV carrier looks like, Sedona? Maybe you need to take some time to work with some HIV pos men and women.
I just wonder what you'd "suspect"? (Not that I think you have much chance of contact with HIV through oral contact.)
Testing is there to ASSURE you that you're clean. To assure your clients that you're clean.
I believe that YOU KNOW you've had a high risk contact every time you take a client. THAT'S the PUSH that you need to get you a test. That's your suspicion. That you've just had sex with someone that is as promiscuous as you are. (That isn't a judgment, it's a fact.)
And I understand how reticent your doc can be to test you. You just have to get a backbone if you have insurance, as I do and push for it, or go to county health services and spend the extra time.
You're a PROVIDER. YOU MUST test after EVERY high risk contact if you're going to be a role model.
You're logic that you tested for the time that you were CELIBATE but only once in six months even though you're having high risk contacts every month unless you "suspect" something IS so flawed I could scream.
You really need to talk to a public health nurse that you could share that you're prostituting. I believe you'd be responsible if you had all the information that you needed.
namaste
This is the fourth time attempting this as each time it froze up..
Ok, the only mention of the 'while three years celibate' was to show regular testing, and continuancy. To compare it to now, or having anything to do with escorting, is not relevant.
My risky behaviour is: I do bareback bj's, receive DATY, and kissing. Granted, although I don't TCCIM, there's still pre-cum risk.
What you are suggesting is after each client, I get tested?
I don't know of any Provider who tests after EACH client, do you?
What do all you ladies, and guys think about testing after EVERY client, as I think she suggests?
Since I started this thread...
I believe she meant after each risky behavior which would mean after every encounter.. That would mean almost on a daily basis. That is unreasonable.
I believe testing every 3 months is appropriate if using the PCR method for HIV rather than the ELISA. If you are immunized for Hep A&B, there is no need to test for them.
I have read many research papers and health Web Sites where they now claim BBBJ is less risky then covered full service. This of course is contrary to the conventional wisdom of the late 80s and 1990s which said you could HIV from BBBJ. They now claim there is no documented case of HIV transmission that way. But the new information hasn't gotten out it seems.
As a client I get tested every 6 months. Providers are varied. I had one tell me she would do anything...yes anything, if we both went down together and got tested in person. She told me "health cards can be forged." LOL.
TET
Assenine.
I'd be testing up to 10 times a week!
Granted, my work is much lower risk than many (FBSM), but even so - and even if you increase the risk exponentially, the worst of the worst out there WILL NOT test positive the same day, or the next day.
Clients can find the info (as you outright posted!) on what you do that carries risk. They can ask the last time you tested, and ask to see the results. Everyone makes their own decisions, and weighs the risks for themselves.
Even with FBSM, I test every 6 months -
and I AGREE, it can be difficult to get them to do that for me. It helps that I'm no longer covered by COBRA and offer to pay CASH.
I test every 6 months myself. For everything.
AIM fees for this are under $300 and includes the PCR test
for HIV not the ELISA test. A little research on the web will find that PCR is considered conclusive after 28 days not 6 months. PCR is also more likely to produce a false positive rather than a false negative.
My own anecdotal research leads me to believe that for most providers 'regular testing' is purely marketing. Gents protect yourselves, and those around you. Get tested. Do your homework, research STDs and testing procedures.
Providers, do the same.
ML
I'm glad to see someone that cares...
1)YES I always keep my results at the apartment and those who see me know that they can look at them at anytime without ever offending me. In fact, I encourage it. I feel more comfortable with those who want proof and who care.
2) Tested every 4-6 weeks including blood test for Herpes, HIV, hepatitis A, B, and C along with the standard STD panel of Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis.
3) I believe those who are tested regularly are the MINORITY and it bothers me. If I had to guess, I would say less than 10% of the ladies in the business are tested regularly.
4) I believe married hobbyists are tested more frequently than any of the other groups, but I'm only guessing.
I agree with ML that many use safety and testing as a marketing ploy. I encourage my friends to ask for proof because many people lie about testing. I've never understood why the spas don't test all of their ladies regularly and use the clean tests to boost their business. It's easy for someone to say they've been tested. Those of us who consistently follow through know that it takes time out of our day and we are more than willing to show the results.
Kelly
Realistically speaking, isn't it true that BBBJ and DATY is just as risky as unprotected sex or am I just naive? It seems that nearly 90% of providers reviewed here offer BBBJ, and that certainly raises the ante on the need for testing.
In addition, in some massage places, there is sometimes touching of genitals that couldn't be considered intercourse, but it intimate contact nonetheless. Are you suggesting a test after every single appointment?
"isn't it true that BBBJ and DATY is just as risky as unprotected sex or am I just naive?"
NO, it is not true.
BTW, you placed your post under "Houston's" post - so are you asking her your last question?