Each sex worker and client decides what risk levels are acceptable to them.
I dont presume to comment on what other wl's offer, as its up to them to decide what they are comfortable with, just as its up to each client to assess whats offered and if they are prepared for the risks.
STI's certainly still exist, and herpes and chlymidia are on the rise again in the general population. Sex workers have always had a very low risk level compared to the general public, simply because most are very aware of their bodies and have the appropriate sexual health testing on a regular basis. Indeed in some states its a requirement to have regular testing or you cant work.
In European countries you will find its quite common and even a standard part of a service to be offered OWO/you are silly (ie natural oral) and this can also include to completion - ie swallowing.
Its more common in Australia in the eastern states for you are silly to be offered, either at an additional fee or included in the service.
In SA its more the exception rather than the norm to advertise natural oral, and whilst many ladies will offer it on a case by case basis, most certainly do not advertise it.
Most sex workers will do a visual health scan on a client (with many doing a full health check which includes a bright light, and milking the penis to check for any discharge)
There is a huge stigma for ladies who openly offer natural oral, both from prospective clients, and moreso from their collegues, so most will not openly advertise it, although it is seen advertised more these days.
According to some recent health studies, the risks involved with natural oral, in cases where there is no obvious sores, discharge etc, or cuts, open wounds in the mouth, are the same as for deep kissing.
That dosnt mean of course that its safe, as mentioned before its up to each individual to assess their own risk before going ahead.
I would suggest that even with ladies who openly advertise natural oral, it wont be available to everyone, it will be dependent on a satisfactory health check first, and wont be offered to anyone with poor hygiene, or those with suspect sores/discharges.
Most common sti's that can be transmitted are - herpes, (and this can be transmitted even with a condom due to the herpes simplex virus being able to be transferred from mouth to genitals and the fact that condoms do not cover the whole genital area, the virus can be transmitted even without obvious sores, if in the viral shedding phase), chlymidia, Gonorrhoea, Hep A. (
Common Sexually Transmitted Infections - AIDS Action Council of the ACT)
Natural sex obviously carries a totally different set of risks. This is commonly referrred to as BBFS (bare back full sex) and there are providers who will offer this, and clients who will seek it out. In SA its certainly not common to see this advertised.
Things that will increase the risk of picking up something nasty, can include, drug use - intravenous users the highest risk, someone who offers this to anyone and everyone, workers that dont have regular health testing, low price high turnover workers.
That said, sex workers have a much lower incidence of sti's than the general population, a statistic shown by the various sexual health clinics. There is a distinct correlation between sex workers who have regular health testing also being those most likely to be very safe sex aware.
I think though sometimes people forget that the biggie sti's such as HIV Aids, Hep C, Herpes, have no cures. Other common sti's can be treated with antibiotics, although syphilis if left untreated can cause serious damage to the bodies organs.
Anyone who has sex outside a regular partner should really be tested for the various range of STI's at least every 6-12mths. Sex workers usually have regular testing every 3mths.
cheers
Amy
