Some porn film actors willing to keep working regardless of HIV scare in California

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 18 Apr 2004 - 0:00 PDT


Some porn film actors are willing to keep working regardless of the fact that two actors in California have tested positive to HIV.

There is a voluntary moratorium in the industry in California to halt filming for 60 days. Today more movie producers in Los Angeles have joined the moratorium.

Most of the companies who have halted production say they will wait until June 8 at the earliest before they consider shooting again.

According to the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation (AIM) the number of people who could potentially exposed to the AIDS virus is about 65. Their names have been circulated so that they do not work until their HIV tests have been done and have shown that they are not HIV positive. In effect, they will not be able to work for 60 days.

The two people who are HIV positive so far are Darren James and Laura Roxx (screen names).

The pornography industry in southern California earns billions of dollars every year. Some say it earns as much as $12 billion a year, others say it is around $4 billion.

WHAT IS HIV?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person's broken skin or mucous membranes.

In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.

WHAT IS AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

Acquired - means that the disease is not hereditary but develops after birth from contact with a disease causing agent (in this case, HIV).

Immunodeficiency - means that the disease is characterized by a weakening of the immune system.

Syndrome - refers to a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS this can include the development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells in a person's immune system.

A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using specific clinical or laboratory standards.

WHAT CAUSES AIDS?

AIDS is caused by infection with a virus called human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This virus is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood and sexual contact.

In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast feeding.

People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.

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