Ask Dr. Mitch

Well Folks, so sorry about missing last month’s article, however I had some pressing business to take care of. Due to the amount of email and patients I have seen these last two months I just thought it may be a good time to “recap” if you will, what to get tested for and how often.

Now if you are in the industry, upon entering you will be given a “New Comer Packet”. This packet consists of about 10 pages of information regarding what you need to be screened for when you enter which includes a list of types of porn and their occupational safety risks, they types of tests you will want to get upon entering, and how often you need to be screened for HIV and STDs that may affect your working in the industry. You will also be given a list of responsibilities of performers, recommendations and requirements for the industry, policies on Hepatitis A, B and C, information about oral and anal sex, and frequently asked questions about our early detection testing.

AIM uses the early detection HIV by PCR/DNA test. This test can detect HIV just 10 days after exposure. We suggest everyone get this test every two weeks to 30 days if you are working in the industry without a condom. Also we use the PCR/ DNA Urine test for early detection of gonorrhea and Chlamydia, which we also suggest every two weeks or 30 days. You will automatically be tested for syphilis upon entering, and thereafter every 6 months.
When you first start you should be screened for herpes, and if positive should be medicated while working as you can infect someone 72 hours before the outbreak occurs (which is how most people get it). BTW the amount of herpes 1&2 is no greater or less than the general public, which is about 60%. If you are negative for herpes, we also suggest taking the meds prophylactic, (to protect yourself from acquiring the virus).

You should also be screened for Hepatitis A, B, and C. If you have never been exposed to A and B, we will be happy to vaccinate you as we have most of the industry. Hep C is not typically a sexually transmitted disease; however we suggest screening every 6 months.

Also, upon entering we suggest you get a pap smear, and gyn check up, that includes a vaginal culture for bacterial vaginosis, or trichamonis (or genital check up if you are male) so we can examine you for herpes and vaccinate you for HPV. At AIM we have been given permission by Gardisil to vaccinate men as well as women. You should also have a skin test for tuberculosis and a nasal swab for MRSA staff infection.

Most importantly newcomers should view our “Porn 101 and Porn 102” 101 is a complete guide to the medical aspect of working in the industry, and 102 are all about the psycho social issues; am I ready for this business? What about my kids? Can I keep a relationship? How do I save money? Etc.

The Porn 101 and 102 is in streaming video form on our site, aim-med.org.

Every six months, you should have a genital exam with Pap smear, if you are having a lot of anal sex, you should have a rectal pap smear, as the urine test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea may not show rectal strains. Also, for rectal HPV and Herpes. And as mentioned syphilis check up.

It occurs to me that people in the industry call me all the time and go “why isn’t it mandatory to test for all STDs in porn?? Well, if you pay close attention to our materials, you would see that we share HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis with each other and the companies each month. However AIM is a set of tools for YOU TO USE! If you want something to be mandatory for YOU, than test for it as often as you would like to ask your partners to test for it!! That’s how it works, we are not the police department, but want you to make decisions based on the truth about sexually transmitted disease, and make your decisions accordingly.

Now if you are a sexually active Civilian, or general public, please log onto SxCheck.com and you will see a set of tools ready for you to use to govern your sex life accordingly!

I just thought it might be time for a general review, as people seem to conveniently forget and denial ain’t a river in Egypt!!

Stay Sexy and Healthy, Dr. Mitch