[Question #12161] Risk

Avatar photo
9 months ago
Generally speaking, who has the highest to lowest probability of having any sexually-transmitted infection, including HIV, or non-sexually-transmitted infection, such as jock itch: (1) a female bar pickup for vaginal intercourse, (2) a female massage parlor commercial sex worker charging $210 per hour for vaginal intercourse, or (3) a female commercial sex worker by appointment charging $210 per hour for vaginal intercourse? From what is known, or alternatively, from what you think, are there any other factors that affect this answer? For example, is this answer affected by when and where the encounter occurs (such as if the encounter occurred years ago adjusting for inflation or in a specific part of a city or country), as well as race, ethnicity, age, or national origin of any of the participants? 

Thank you.
Avatar photo
Edward W. Hook M.D.
9 months ago
Welcome back to the Forum although I'm not sure why you have returned.  Several weeks ago in response to a very similar question I replied- "I can only answer with generalizations however, massage partner CSWs, as a generalization, have a vested interest in making sure they are not infected and tend to take precautions to avoid STIs or, through regular check ups, get checked regularly to permit rapid treatment if they become infected.  As a result, their risk for STIs, including HIV are likely to be lower than an impulsive, potential risk taking partner who may not take precautions and may be less likely to get regular check ups.  Remember, massage partner CSWs are professionals and infecting partners is bad for business since clients know where to find them if they want or need to see them again.  OTOH, you may never see a casual partner again."
That answer is not going to change.

Thus in my estimation, risk if higher for a partner described in number 1.  Potential partners described in descriptions numbers 2 and 3 are, similarly low risk and there are no data to say whether one is "higher" risk than another.  Obviously, partners living in areas where HIV is relatively common (i.e. sub-Saharan Africa) are somewhat more likely to be infected with an STI than partners in areas where STIs are somewhat less common, i.e. North America or Western Europe.

Frankly, I find this line of questioning somewhat tangential and of little value although clear something about this is on your mind.  EWH
---
Avatar photo
9 months ago
Thank you for your response. As a follow up, does the answer change depending on what part of which city in the United States of America the encounter occurs?
Avatar photo
9 months ago
Please disregard the last question. As a follow up, does the answer change depending on where in which city in the United States of America the encounter occurs?

Thank you.
Avatar photo
Edward W. Hook M.D.
9 months ago
The U.S. city in which the encounter makes a slight difference, particularly for category number 1.  EWH---
Avatar photo
9 months ago
Understanding that the U.S. city in which the encounter occurred makes a slight difference, would it change your estimation that risk is highest for a partner described in category number 1, as opposed to category number 2 or category number 3?

Thank you.
Avatar photo
Edward W. Hook M.D.
9 months ago
Final answer, no, I would not change my response to your initial questions

This completes this thread which will be closed at this timeEWH
---