Need an update on health issue

[shak]

I was reading on the net and come across this

Early studies suggest that Canadian female prostitutes are no more likely to be infected with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases than other women, unless they are also intravenous drug users.[4] (W Darrow. Prostitution, Intravenous Drug Use and HIV-1 in the United States. In M Plant, supra, note 1.) Studies also show that in their sexual relations, sex-trade workers use condoms more consistently than other populations similar in age, race, and sex. [5] Further, with respect to female hookers, the fact that the transmission of HIV from female to male is so difficult would suggest that the sex trade is unlikely to be a source of the spread of HIV/AIDS. Early studies of men who use female prostitutes confirm this; they did not reveal a single case in which a client was infected by a prostitute. [6] It is far more likely, particularly in the current legal context, which excludes sex-trade workers from the protection of the law, that prostitutes are at risk from their clients.

However; the paper is written in 1996, so its kinda out-dated. Does anyone know any recent studies(IE the sex trade and HIV) on the web ?

 

[Very Veronica]

You'll find the same facts with your local health professional which is where you should be getting your info in the first place.

 

[LonelyGhost]

You'll find the same facts with your local health professional which is where you should be getting your info in the first place.

... maybe ...

wanted to talk to my family physician about any potential concerns -- he recommended celibacy ... then grudgingly suggested condoms "but they're not perfect" ...

so went to std clinic and did annual test and came back clear for anything ... but decided to ask both the doctor and the nurse about any potential concerns and it was like pulling teeth ...

the best i got was a bunch of pamphlets from the doctor that still didn't answer any real world questions ...

finally just told the nurse that i have sex with sex trade workers and her response was "why don't you just meet someone nice?"

OMIGOD!!!!

So, what I learnt from the health care 'professionals' was that I should keep it in my pants until I meet a nice virgin ...

what a bunch of useless moral crusaders.

 

[shak]

... maybe ...

wanted to talk to my family physician about any potential concerns -- he recommended celibacy ... then grudgingly suggested condoms "but they're not perfect" ...

so went to std clinic and did annual test and came back clear for anything ... but decided to ask both the doctor and the nurse about any potential concerns and it was like pulling teeth ...

the best i got was a bunch of pamphlets from the doctor that still didn't answer any real world questions ...

finally just told the nurse that i have sex with sex trade workers and her response was "why don't you just meet someone nice?"

OMIGOD!!!!

So, what I learnt from the health care 'professionals' was that I should keep it in my pants until I meet a nice virgin ...

what a bunch of useless moral crusaders.

I know what you are saying, but I guess they probably have a set of protocol to follow. Its like in real world, if a condom is used properly then chance of contracting HIV is minimal. However; those doc/nurses are trained to tell you that condoms are not prefect. The only sure way is absentee. Not very helpful in my opinion. I think the next time when I go in and get my test, I am gonna ask the nurse/doc some specific question such as

1)has the sex trade industry in BC been evaluated as a mean of HIV transmission? Any statisitical figure on the actual/estimate number of people infected thru prostitution.

2)is there a monitoring service in BC, are there any girls who tested positive and are still providing service?

I dont think I will get very much out of them though

 

[Very Veronica]

If you're participating in this industry you must have a doctor that you can openly discuss your concerns with who is both nonjudgmental and up on the facts.

If you live in Vancouver we're fortunate to have the extremely knowledgable folks at the std clinic at 12th and Cambie where they do not have to follow the 15 minute sessions a normal doc does. They will spend as much time as needed to answer any questions and all their testing is done right there. I've been swabbed in places no doc has ever gone...they are thorough. However you should still have a regular doctor who can deal with this lifestyle issue you have chosen.

Furthermore...contracting hiv/aids is only a hi risk activity when you engage in sex with people from hi risk groups such as intravenous drug users. Your biggest conern should be all the other nasty little things out there from crabs to the clap.

 

[Jonesy]

You'll find the same facts with your local health professional which is where you should be getting your info in the first place.

I did just that after that other post by CDC a week or so ago about the rate of transmission through receiving a bbbj as that is, like, the favourite way for me to enjoy life.

A talked to my doctor and an advisor at the Fraser Valley Health board.

Not encouraging news. They both said the 1996 report understates dramatically real situation now. They feel that given the number of men and hookers who cross boundary work (street versus private situations) that it is insane for anyone to feel that any bare activity is safe. They both emphasized that the risks are far higher (by at least 10 times apparently) for the woman. They felt the most at risk as they were under false sense of security were the "higher class" (in the mind of the SP only they noted) incall or company escorts who say their clientelle is clean so they will be too. Guess again.

I am seriously rethinking my activities given that article posted here last week (and I checked, it was legit) and the medical opinions I am getting. Just for fun, I got tested too as it has been two years since I got a life insurance policy. Apparently that is how many people find out is at that first adult life insurance experience.

Be careful everyone and to the SPs who think they are bulletproof and only see "clean" guys, think again I guess.

Anyway, your lives. I am last person to preach as I drink too much, brownie too much, poon too much and date too much. Sobering facts get my attention though.