YNOT – Amid persistent rumors that at least one male adult performer in California recently tested positive for syphilis, Adult Production Health & Safety Services has moved up the starting date for its semi-annual syphilis testing program. Originally scheduled to begin in September, the program instead began Friday and will continue until Sept. 30. During the testing period, syphilis tests will be performed free of charge.

“The action follows recent unsubstantiated rumors of a syphilis incident among adult performers,” an official statement distributed by APHSS said. “Due to concerns raised by performers and producers, and with a desire to provide optimal care, APHSS.org made the decision to launch the program immediately, in order to alleviate any further concerns.”

The Centers for Disease control, the National Institute of Health and the California Department of Public Health recommend sexually active adults be tested for syphilis only once a year. For “promiscuous” populations, the recommended frequency rises to twice a year. APHSS, which trade association Free Speech Coalition established earlier this year as a health and workplace safety watchdog for the adult entertainment industry, plans to organize mass testing annually in September and March.

This week, two adult performers and one talent agent went public with allegations an unnamed “major male talent” tested positive for syphilis. Neither the medical laboratory that allegedly performed the test nor the performer have stepped forward to confirm or deny the rumors. Talent agent Shy Love said the allegedly infected performer was on her client roster, but she dropped him when he admitted to her that he adulterated a health-test report from Talent Testing Services so he could perform in three scenes about which Love knew nothing until after filming. Love also said she and the producer of the scenes are attempting to contact the allegedly infected male talent’s scene partners so they can seek testing.

“Though there has been no confirmation of these rumors, we have heard the concerns of producers and performers, and their well-being is our primary concern,” said Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Diane Duke. “By launching the program early, performers can go to APHSS-recommended testing facilities and get tested for syphilis for free, along with their regular performer test panel.”

The testing facilities offering free syphilis testing through the end of September include Cutting Edge Testing, SameDayTest.com (AMTC), and STDStatus.com. Contact information for the facilities may be found on this page at the APHSS.org website.

While there has been no confirmation of any syphilis infections in the U.S. performer population, APHSS policy dictates proactive procedures to ensure industry self-regulation protocols are observed, Duke explained. Part of the protocol includes identifying and then notifying sexual partners of anyone whose tests return positive results.

Duke emphasized that syphilis is treatable. Early detection of the disease is key to fast, effective treatment with antibiotics. Individuals that have been treated for syphilis previously should be aware that antibodies created by the infection may trigger a “false positive” result in subsequent tests. In those cases, confirmatory tests must be administered in order to confirm or refute active infection.

Guidelines for syphilis diagnosis and treatment established by the Centers for Disease Control may be viewed here.

For more information about syphilis and/or APHSS, visit APHSS.org or email coordinator Joanne Cachapero.