Syphilis is spreading like wildfire out here in Southern California, so much so that the porn industry has begun a moratorium on filming until everyone can get tested and administered their Penicillin shots.
Four more cases of syphilis have been found in an investigation of an outbreak among porn performers, bringing the total to nine, and the discovery of more cases is likely, Los Angeles County’s top health official said Tuesday.
Five cases were reported last week, causing a trade group for the multi-billion dollar industry to call for a halt in filming to prevent the spread of disease.
“It’s not surprising in the adult film industry that we would have transmission of all sexually transmitted diseases because they’re having unprotected sex, oftentimes with multiple actors,” said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
The current number of syphilis cases in the most recent outbreak “will grow,” said Fielding, adding that an ongoing investigation is expected to uncover more cases. The latest discoveries were made through testing of the sexual partners of the earlier cases found, he said.
If you ask me, it’s sort of shocking that more STDs don’t show up in the porn community, given all the unprotected sex. Fortunately, Syphilis is easy to treat* if a person has had the disease less than a year, so porn production can be up and running again in the Valley.
What do you think of shutting down the filming of porn while people are treated? Knowing the risks and benefits, if becoming a porn performer were an option for you, would you take the job?
*As you all probably know, Syphilis causes open sores on the genitals, anus, rectum or mouth. These sores can be painless, but can cause a marked increase in the risk of contracting HIV.
The disease can hide for years, and is called “the great imitator” because it takes so many forms. While it starts as open sores, it moves to a rash and other symptoms, and finally can affect brain function and the heart. Fortunately condoms and other prophylactics help prevent Syphilis, and the disease can be cured with Penicillin.
Photo of Syphilis under a microscope courtesy of std-symptoms.us
About Joanna Schroeder
“If you ask me, it’s sort of shocking that more STDs don’t show up in the porn community, given all the unprotected sex.” – The mechanisms and the social realities of the porn industry are outside the grasp of outsiders and even journalists. Porn stars get tested frequently. However, not too long ago there was a “Pornoleaks” scandal where a guy posted the personal information of every single porn star including sexual diseases -which he stole from the AIM clinic – that incident led to the permanent shutting down of the AIM clinic. A big part of the scandal was the revelation that STDs were more common in the industry than was reported. (Although I went to the website – which is now shutdown- and clicked through a bunch of porn star names and couldn’t find any STD info on them)
I might do porn if I knew the STD risks and I didn’t feel embarrassed about my body and had some sense that I wouldn’t be coerced into doing thing I didn’t want to do. (okay probably unlikely) Sudden changes in contractual demands under duress such as after a long plane flight would be a concern. I have no idea what kind of employee protections the Porn industry has or if it has any. I can’t imagine what existing legal framework would apply in cases such as sudden changes in contractual demands.
“What do you think of shutting down the filming of porn while people are treated?” – Its good but maybe it gives the impression that the porn industry is more self-regulated than it is? This is one industry where most people don’t have the faintest clue of what kind of employee protections exists and it very likely needs to have government regulations
Also, there is SO much porn that is outside the mainstream community… But I don’t know how much the performers of that community mix with the rest of the porn shot in lower-budget situations.
I actually think that main unifying reality of respectable porn production in southern California was the use of the AIM clinic. and I think that the AIM clinic was very broadly used by just about everyone although there must have been those skirting that system but I don’t think it was a huge amount. I don’t know what other factors would unify the porn industry as a self-regulated industry other than that. (Now that the AIM clinic is gone, I don’t know what has replaced it)
Actors with STD’s is baddddd for business, I’m guessing they self-regulate far more than people think. Probably far more interested in safe sex or at least checking for STD’s n giving clear health than the majority of people who aren’t in the industry.
I’d prob wear protection unless I was certain the other actresses were tested. Funnily enough with the appropriate testing porn actors should be “cleaner” than the average person if a fail on the test destroys their career.
I don’t think most porn allows people to wear condoms.
I see lots of porn with condoms, depends what you look at.
Syphillis is definitely not ‘easy to treat’, that is if you’re being treated. It’s a lengthy and painful process, and requires that those being treated absolutely follow the course of medication prescribed, otherwise it has to be started all over again.
I just did that one porn flic, and my public was so disappointed in my small part that I gave it up.