Escorts: HIV condition

[Guest Ale]

I was asking about some escorts. And some friend from the M4M ER emailed me about the HIV condition of two escorts who are in my list. I am afraid only one of them talked about it in his website. But not the other one. I don't want to create an alarm situation, but we can to do something about it. I don't want to say names because it is only a rumor. If you consider absolutly necesary to mention names, I'll be write to HooBoy.

[Boston Guy]

It seems to me that there are two separate issues here: first, I believe that one should never disclose someone else's HIV status to another, most especially if the information is based upon "just a rumor". HIV status is extremely personal and it each person's right to determine who to share that information with.

 

Second, and equally important, any person who hires an escort or engages in sex with another person whose HIV status is unknown or questionable should always assume that the other person is HIV+ and take appropriate precautions. Safe sex guidelines are available everywhere these days and don't prevent having a hot time.

 

Just as I think it's each person's right to determine who they want to share their HIV status (positive or negative) with, it's also each person's right -- and responsibility -- to look out for their own health. HIV+ folks who extend that responsibility to looking out for the health of their partners are obviously taking the responsible path, but none of us should count on everyone else taking that path in all instances.

[Guest leandream1]

Never gossip about others' HIV status. In the 80s being publicly positive was akin to wearing the lambda triangle of the 40s. In the 90s and this part of this century, it falls somewhere between that triangle and a scarlet letter. It's certainly not a boon to business or social status. And provided you take the prudent precautions, someone's status should be irrelevant.

 

Yet to establish the comfort required between sexual partners it is important to talk about it (and then assume they are positive anyway)Do not assume that someone is negative because they said they are. Why, are they lying? No, not necessarily (but I suppose that is a nasty possiblity), they simply may not have all the information about themselves even if they have been recently tested. As we all (should) know by now, a standard HIV test only looks for the antibodies to the virus. The verdict is still out on how quickly those antibodies will develop (up until recently the thinking was that it typically took 6months to a year, what i have seen since then indicates that they more often form sooner), however A test result of "negative" only means that as of the time the tech took the individual's blood he did not have "antibodies" to the virus. They may very well have had the virus or obtained it in the interim, and their body hasn't begun to fight it yet, therefore antibodies hadn't developed. I am refering to the free and most often used Elisa tests. Unfortunately, PCR tests are expensive, rarely given as option, and therefore people don't often use those or know about them. A PCR tests for the virus itself, and most physicians agree that within 6-14 days of infection the virus will show up in the PCR test. The advantage of a PCR test from the point of view of the infected is that they can start the medication sooner, and there is ample evidence that an early drug regime yields better results than one later on where the virus has spurned an Immunoglobulin response.

 

With both tests there is a window of uncertainty. One is just a smaller window than the other, but there is certainly some uncertainty either way. My point: just use a condom AND LUBE no matter what your partner says. Check the condom frequently to see that it's in good condition. Also, if you haven't had your hepatitis A and B vaccines, and if you have anal sex you should, keep your hands away from your mouths, wash them ASAP. Play safe BE SMART have fun.

[Guest Jake]

I suppose it would be nice to expect an escort to disclose his HIV status, but I believe it is unrealistic. I know it's a tired old cliche, but anyone who uses the services of an escort (as well as any escort who is practicing his trade) and does not assume the other is HIV positive is playing a very dangerous game. Statistical data alone lead me to believe that there are many infected escorts and clients.

[Guest leandream1]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-09-00 AT 05:16PM (CST)[p]ANYONE HAVING SEX is at risk. Period. No need to slight any particular groups. Fuck safely.

[CT Dick]

IF the escort (or pick-up or other sex partner) talks about his HIV status, how do you know if he is telling the truth? If he tells the truth, how do you know if he REALLY knows his current status? The only option is to assume that all your partners are positive.

[Guest leandream1]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-10-00 AT 04:37PM (CST)[p]L

[Guest mickcool]

Quite frankly, I am appalled that this could even be an issue in this day and age! There is no question that having anonymous sex/one night stands is a risk. Whether the partner is an escort or not is totally irrelevent. We all have to be grown up about this. We want sex, lots of it - fine. But act responsibly and never assume that a partner (escort or not!) is HIV neg. regardless of what he may or may not tell you. Just play safe!!

[Guest Dr. DG]

In health care we maintain "Universal Precautions"

which severely limit (when performed properly) our

exposure to potential blood-borne pathogens such as

HIV, hepatitis A/B/C and others. We do so not only to

protect ourselves but to protect other patients.

 

Leandream1 (Is that you, Rod Hagen?) is correct in

saying that there is simply no other assumption to

make. He also is correct in recommending thorough

handwashing after anal sex. I'll extend that to any

sexual contact and before any oral contact with your

own mouth. Just be careful.

 

The gentleman who referred to "the statistics..." is

also correct in the sense that individuals with

multiple sexual partners (ANY kind of sex that is!)

face an increased probability of STD infection.

That's just plain numbers and epidemiology.

 

Please be careful. While it seems a trifle absurd to

preach about such things in such an open venue, I hold

life far too sacred and my professional ethics, morals

and responsibility for my fellow humans to advocate

any unsafe or potentially unhealthy practices.

 

Thanks for listening to this old tired medical

preacher for the last 1,000 times!