Edited by - Tinaka on 1/2/2007 6:18:09 PM

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There goes all my pornstar fantasies.

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so rejoice, you an still jack off to me! :)

Edited by - danadearmond on 1/2/2007 1:31:27 PM

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as long as everyone takes their valtrex we'll be fine.

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There are currently five ways to diagnose herpes. It is unlikely that your doctor will know about all of them. Thus, it will be to your advantage to print out this page and take it to your physician’s office when you go for testing. In addition to identifying whether an individual is infected with herpes, a test ideally should also provide 2 other pieces of information: 1) location and 2) the type of herpes simplex (HSV-1 or HSV-2). Type and location are important for assessing transmission risks (e.g., partners with the same type of HSV are unlikely to contract the same type again [regardless of locale]. However, they have a good chance of contracting a new type of simplex).

1. Clinical examination and an assessment of your previous symptoms (history) are very poor at detecting herpes. HSV symptoms are easily confused with other diseases (even by experts) or may present atypically (redness rather than sores), so it’s quite possible to get an incorrect diagnosis on this basis alone.

2. Viral culture. Although this test has a high rate of false negatives (~50%), it is the most valid test available. Unlike blood tests, it requires the presence of active viral shedding (e.g., open sores). This test can distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 and has the advantage of being able to identify the location of infection. If you get this test, be sure that your doctor requests that the culture be typed (e.g., HSV-1) – most labs will not report type unless specified.

3. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR testing also requires the presence of active viral shedding. However, PCR is a more sensitive test than viral isolation and is also type specific. PCR is now available for commercial use but it may not be available at your doctor’s facility.

4. Non-type specific blood test. Certain types of blood tests, like the older ELISA, will detect herpes, but it can’t distinguish between the two types of herpes simplex (HSV-1 & HSV-2). HSV-2 is the type usually associated with genital HSV infection, while HSV-1 is the type usually associated with oral HSV infection (i.e., cold sores). However, both types of HSV can infect either location. Non-type-specific ELISAs may be useful if patients have no history of HSV infection. However, because a significant proportion of the population is infected with HSV-1 (~70%), non-type-specific tests are usually inconclusive at determining secondary HSV infections (e.g., HSV-2) due to the amount of cross reactivity.

5. Type-specific blood tests such as the Western Blot, Focus Diagnostics HerpeSelect ELISA or Immunoblot test for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 and can distinguish between the two types of HSV. Active viral shedding is not necessary (unlike PCR or Viral Isolation) in order to detect HSV infection (even if you are not currently having symptoms). There is only one U.S. lab that processes blood samples for the Western Blot (University of Washington) so you may have to wait a week or more for your results.

NOTE: Blood tests for the long-term IgG antibodies are generally reliable only after 12 to 16 weeks of infection. Please be aware that all blood tests have an error rate and that false negative indications are possible, while false positive indications are almost nonexistent. Within the first few weeks of infection, detection of early antibodies (IgM) may potentially be useful for diagnostic purposes (absence of IgG, but presence of IgM may indicate a new infection). IgM testing is limited in value because, at this time, it is not type specific.

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yes it can be tested for

No AIM doesnt do it because you would lose 90% of the talent pool overnight (not such a bad thing IMHO)

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The only once I've heard of as "employees" are those smart enough to set themselves up as "corporations" and "pay" themselves out of their earnings.

[Wish that Michael "PornLaw" guy was here]

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A big thanks to RLangford for the detailed reply!!

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And no, the common cold is not curable. Bottom line we're just walking bacteria and virus infested homo sapiens who seem to fear more from STDs than what actually may truly kill you. *hammer on head*

The HPV vaccine is only effective in those who do not have HPV already. Even so it doesn't protect you from ALL of the strains that are considered HPV. Often peoples immune system are capable of fighting off viruses towards cases of never getting HPV or Herpes when upon having sex with those who actually have it. It's not clear how and why but I'm pretty sure it's slowly but surely being studied so it can be well understood how the body mysteriously works sometimes.

In my opinion, even though its only required to test once a month through AIM, I see nothing wrong with doing it every two weeks or a few days after doing a scene everytime if you're not a scene mongler working everyday. It helps cutting back transmission of the petty bacterial STDs frome one performer to another.

It just all boils down to asking yourself if getting into the adult industry as a performer is worth the possible risks you'd be taking. If it is, then so be it.

Edited by - generizer on 1/2/2007 10:51:19 PM

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Very illuminating & informative.

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Edited by - married_lucky on 1/28/2007 7:07:53 PM

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So perhaps another precaution would be to avoid working in places that don't have stringent testing policies.

Of course, you can "precaution" yourself out of the business too. So it all boils down to: you accept the risks and work or you stay in a safer profession.

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And better yet that disgusts me even more is that certain people in this industry still go there. Some people just never learn let alone use their brain for more than two seconds.

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Just imagine if Darren had worked for another two weeks before getting tested again. How many more could he have infected.

There are no LAWS regarding testing in adult movies. AIM does not enforce any regulations. IT is a VOLUNTARY program that the talent themselves enforce on set. As a matter of fact, it is ILLEGAL to require an HIV test as a condition of employment in California.

ANd to Danaarmond, you need to educate yourself about these things a little more. Herpes is actually at its most contagious state just BEFORE blisters start to develop. If you havent been tested for herpes since you started in the adult biz i would suggest you do so. How do you know you dont have it if you dont test for it. You can have herpes and never show any symptoms(cold sore, blisters etc.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

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The HPV vaccine is only effective in those who do not have HPV already. Even so it doesn't protect you from ALL of the strains that are considered HPV. Often peoples immune system are capable of fighting off viruses towards cases of never getting HPV or Herpes when upon having sex with those who actually have it. It's not clear how and why but I'm pretty sure it's slowly but surely being studied so it can be well understood how the body mysteriously works sometimes.

Edited by - generizer on 1/2/2007 10:51:19 PM
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Gen, interesting that you would bring up the HPV isssue(HPV is a virus that causes cervical cancer. Men can carry it and pass it to their sex partners)

Do you think this industry would treat HPV differently if it caused TESTICULAR cancer rather than CERVICAL cancer? For some reason i bet they would. Just my opinion.

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Looky: (I'm aware of what the STDs are, what they do and may cause, so on so forth... learning so was a big part of my education in school) Although, I do not think that the industry would change or treat anything differently if HPV caused testicular cancer rather than Cervical. I wouldn't be surprised if HPV is already a factor in what may have caused some men to be diagnosed with testicular. If the few HIV scares haven't made an impact profoundly enough to inform people to stay out of foreign countries and be wise in general then I doubt HPV, herpes and even the possibility of getting Syph would change the biz one bit.

Like I said, it's all up to the person who thinks its worth taking the risk by becoming part of the industry.

Personally, I'd rather be promiscuous taking my chances fucking random people on film with those who get tested monthly through AIM than be promiscous with random people outside of the industry. A non industry worker doesn't usually get tested for a full panel of STDs on a regular basis, or ANY for that matter. Could you imagine what those people may have and not even know?

*** I also forgot to mention that it's not just cervical cancer that you may get from the various virus strains of HPV. You can also get anal cancer even cancers of the soft palate portion of the mouth like the base of the tongue, throat and even tonsils.

Just take care of yourself, eat healthy and balanced, dont do drugs or anything that would suppress your immune system.

Edited by - generizer on 1/3/2007 5:20:11 PM

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Edited by - LOOKYHERE on 1/27/2007 6:47:15 PM

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Companies need to realize that it makes no difference what they think the status of a performer is. They are employees and companies need to carry workcomp ins to protect them.

I have gotten quotes on workcomp rates for adult performers on set. Ready for how expensive it is --

to insure a typical boy/girl scene with the typical rates -

$21.28 -- thats it. Lunch thats all it will cost to protect and insure performer's lives and health.

Michael

AdultBizLaw.com

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Clam

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I wish someone would offer a better alternative than AIM. Don't most people who have been around for a minute consider it a joke?

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If there was an alternative then you would have people running around with tests from different places and it would be difficult to verify real tests etc.

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But all this was rehashed already.

Edited by - skronker on 1/29/2007 11:48:04 PM

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I have not worked in FL since 03... so i don't know the details. I prefer only to work in the LA talent pool myself.

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"Sometimes those who know they are infected spread the virus between outbreaks, when no signs or symptoms are present. This is called "Asymptomatic Transmission."
Research also shows that herpes simplex infections are often spread by people who don't know they are infected. These people may have symptoms so mild they don't notice them at all or else don't recognize them as herpes."

Source :
www.herpes.com

Edited by - melissalauren on 1/30/2007 12:35:54 AM

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Clam

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And anyone who wants can get Herpes,HPV, Hepatitis,syphillis and any other std test at AIM anytime they want to at a greatly reduced price than ANYWHERE else.

It is not AIM's obligation to test performers, it is performers obligation to test themselves. AIM is not the industry police,they are a non-oprofit charity there to assist the performers to live up to their own personal resposibility. After all, this is the "ADULT" insustry, is it not?

PORNLAW, I havent seen you mention this yet, but as a lawyer I'm sure you know that it is ILLEGAL in the state of california to require an HIV test as a condition of employment.

Edited by - LOOKYHERE on 2/1/2007 2:29:35 PM

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www.makemoneyfucking.com

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