The adult film industry faces its most widespread porn outbreak in five years
as Los Angeles County health officials have revealed 16 previously
undisclosed cases of HIV among porn actors, bringing the total number
of porn-related HIV cases to 22 in the last five years.
Photo: CreativeCommons/macrophile
Los Angeles County health officials have revealed 16 previously undisclosed cases of HIV among porn actors, bringing the total number of porn-related HIV cases to 22 in the last five years.
This news comes after assurances by the porn industry that a single positive test by a female adult film performer was the first since 2004, when cases of three adult film actresses and a single male star, along with the unrelated case of a transsexual performer, shut down porn production for a month. The incident drew intense scrutiny to safety practices in the adult entertainment industry.
Regarding the individual female performer who tested positive recently, initial HIV tests of the woman's partners came up negative. Sharon Mitchell, founder of the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation (AIM), a nonprofit corporation that handles HIV and STD testing and treatment for people who work in the porn industry, said this case was different because the woman had "exceptionally few partners, inside and outside the industry."
Mark Kernes, senior editor of AVN, confirmed that the actress was an older woman who worked rarely. All partners are currently testing negative and in adult employment quarantine. All required reporting has been complied with, as have the AIM and industry protocols. The investigation is ongoing. This is not a major event," Mitchell said, according to AVN. Initial HIV tests of the woman's partners were negative, and Mitchell said the actors are not working and are being encouraged to test again in two weeks.
The newly LA County data raises the number of known porn-related HIV cases to 22 since 2004, including a female performer who tested positive last week. At least 10 of the 22 cases involved men who had sex with other men, noted the officials.
That means a total 16 men and 5 women who worked as porn performers became infected with HIV between 2004 and 2008, according to Los Angeles County Department of Public Health data. From 1998 to 2003, there were 14 confirmed HIV cases among porn industry performers, according to the health department.
All working adult film actors are required to be tested for HIV every 30 days, according to Kernes. The time between tests for other sexually transmitted diseases is longer. Kernes said that here are about 1,000 people actively working in the industry in any six month period.
Other top stories:
David Carradine's ex: Star tied self for pleasure, enjoyed 'kinky' meditation
Grisly David Carradine death photos fuel controversy, bondage questions
Kinky sex play in David Carradine Death?
Can drinking too much soda really paralyze you?
More countries ban Red Bull, test for cocaine
Red Bull stands firm as more countries ban drinks, test for cocaine
Red Bull: Asians target wrong energy drink for cocaine ban
Cocaine fears boosting U.S. sales for Red Bull?
Red Bull: More cocaine found, countries ban energy drinks
Red Bull's cocaine problem spreads to Austria
More than wings? Red Bull banned over cocaine fears
Pot fights brain cancer; Supreme Court okays medical marijuana
Bed bugs are back! Worst outbreak since WWII
Comments
I'm really surprised that the same safety-standards that apply to gay porn aren't applied to straight porn. Bareback porn in the gay world is the aberration and not the norm. When are straight people going to wake up and realize they are at as much risk for HIV as gay men.
why would the gay porn stars mix and mingle with the female porn stars,i just hope pinky aint got that monster,and the gay porn need to stop hitting raw to butt,hell just stop,making porn period its sick enough to think about it already.
What the story does NOT say is whether or not these rates are higher (or lower) than other comparable careers.
What are the rates in mainstream-acting, fashion and other industries?
Porn gets special attention no matter what the real facts are.
Them gays are a perscription for disease and immorality. I have the cure for HIV:MEN NEED TO STOP SODOMIZING EACHOTHER IN THE BUTT! There, I just cured AIDS. Someone should give me a PH.D!
The Adult Porn Industry is more prone to STDs and HIV infections than any other group due to the nature of how man sexual interactions each of the people have on a regular basis.
The multiplier effect is absolutely ludicrous and exponentially dangerous since each of the partners they have scenes with equally has had a high number of sexual partners recently too.
Of course, what puts the most risk on these porn stars is them having sex without condoms. Many scenes either require no condom or the director or talent request no condom. Either way it highly increases chance of STD and HIV infections.
In the past 5 years, even though the porn stars have compulsory monthly STD tests and HIV tests, 22 people have been reported to have been HIV positive in that industry.That is alarming and makes it top priority for anyone in the Adult Industry or Not to want to get checked for STDs and HIV.
One never knows who has had unprotected sex with some one who has a STD or HIV infection. B
HIV case is on the rise!! I just found the largest HIV dating and support site == HIVlover. com == It has about 500,000 members!!!! Even some celebrity are on this site!! OMG! Why so many hot guys&girls are living with HIV in USA?
Holy ignorant comments
First Hitler, homosexuals are not the only people getting HIV, if you look at statistics their newly reported rates are going down. Also it isn't just gay porn actors. We see what these people do on screen, but no one knows what they are doing when the cameras are off. They are also high rates of illegal drug use, and other reckless behavior. Side note most gay porn use condoms, it is the straight porn that usually go bareback.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!