It's important to recognize that associating someone's sexual health status with their booking rate is a flawed and potentially harmful assumption. While your thought process may be rooted in personal experiences and mental comfort levels, the reality is that STD risk is not reliably correlated with how much someone charges or how exclusive their booking process is.
In fact, a 2019 study published in Sexually Transmitted Infections found that providers with high end status or high hourly rates did not have statistically lower rates of STIs compared to independent lower hourly rate providers. Risk levels were more closely associated with specific behaviors like frequency of bareback sex, type of services provided, and condom usage consistency rather than pricing or perceived exclusivity.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), your primary concern, is particularly difficult to screen for. The CDC has stated that many carriers are asymptomatic and may unknowingly transmit the virus. Even with screening, a higher rate provider may not be any more aware of their status than someone charging less. HSV-2 affects approximately 1 in 8 sexually active adults in the U.S., and it can be transmitted even when no symptoms are present.
Additionally, the assumption that a high end provider equates to better sexual health practices ignores the fact that some lower-cost providers may actually be more diligent about health screenings, condom use, and STI testing because they operate with higher client volumes and are more aware of occupational risks.
The idea that price is a proxy for safety is not just inaccurate it can lead to a false sense of security that puts you and others at greater risk. The best protection continues to be regular STI testing, use of protection regardless of perceived "safety," and transparent communication with partners.
You’re not “crazy” for having fears, especially when it comes to HSV, but it’s essential to base decisions on facts rather than perceived hierarchies that don’t reflect actual health risks.
