A 25-year-old male porn actor identified as “Patient A” has transmitted HIV to two other men during unprotected sex. One of the men was another porn-film actor, the other a non-work partner. Patient A tested negative for HIV in 2014. During the next 22 days he had unprotected sex with at least 15 people from seven U.S. states and four other countries. An HIV test then came back positive, and more test showed that at least two men were likely infected by Patient A.
The case emphasizes the need for adult-film actors to take precautions against HIV transmission. Since HIV testing does not pick up the virus in the early stages of infection, infection can occur in others even if a test is negative.
In this case, there was a period of 22 days between Patient A’s negative HIV test and the positive HIV test. During that time he had sex with 12 other actors and three non-work partners, all unprotected. One actor and one non-work partner have been infected.
Researchers from the California Department of Public Health, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have confirmed that a genetically similar strain of HIV was identified in all three men. They also noted that the film company had directed Patient A to have sex without a condom during filming.
Since frequent testing alone cannot prevent the spread of HIV, the CDC stresses that “adult film performers and production companies, medical providers, and all persons at risk for HIV should be aware that testing alone is not sufficient to prevent HIV transmission.
The report was published Feb. 11 in the CDC’s journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.