Health Issues & Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Porn
This is the part of the porn industry no one wants to talk about.

As a performer in the porn industry, you need to realize that STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) are a harsh reality within the business and that they are VERY present.Regardless of how many precautions you take, and no matter how "safe" you feel you are, you can't run, hide or entirely protect yourself completely from them. 

Before I go any further, I urge you to visit www.Aim-med.org to learn about the various types of STDs and to watch both "Porn 101" and "Porn 102". Both "Porn 101" and "Porn 102" are excellent videos produced by the AIM Organization in an effort to educate performers about the realities of the STD and health issues which effect porn performers.

In 2004 there was an HIV "outbreak" within the porn industry which essentially shut down the entire industry for approximately 1 month. Click here for a news article about it from the LA Times.

Recently (May/June 2009) another porn actress has tested positive for HIV. Click here for the news story from the LA Times.

As of 10-12-2010 another male performer has tested positive for HIV as reported by AVN.com : http://business.avn.com/articles/Adult-Performer-Tests-HIV-415455.html

Please keep in mind that as of current most studios DO NOT produce scenes in which condoms and dental dams are utilized (a few do, but most studios do not). Of course you as a performer have the right to request that protection is used during your scene, however many studios will not work with talent that make such requests. 

Also remember that HIV is not the only STD to worry about. STDs such as Chlamydia (curable via anti-biotics but VERY common), Syphilis,Gonorrhea & Hepatitis C are all quite common. Though they are treatable these STDs can effect your long term health and if not detected early enough can effect your fertility. 

Herpes and HPV are VERY common within the porn industry and is not an STD that you are required to test negative for in order to work.

As of current, I personally feel that the porn industry should consider making the use of condoms in scenes more common place. It would promote the idea of safe sex to the general public and would also reduce the transmission of STDs within the industry's talent pool.

Last but not least, please ensure that you are on some method of Birth Control prior to shooting any scenes.  Though it's not often discussed in the adult industry world, pregnancy can and often does occur, so be sure to protect yourself from such a situation being that condoms are not used by porn studios frequently.