HIV scare closes L.A. porn studios

A positive HIV test has forced two adult-film companies to stop production.

Vivid Entertainment and Wicked Productions, two of the porn industry’s biggest companies, have suspended operations after one actor reportedly tested positive for HIV. The name and gender of the actor has not been released, but the companies are attempting to get in touch with other performers who may have been exposed to the virus. Public health officials have long criticized the adult film industry because performers rarely use condoms on set and are therefore 10 times more likely to contract HIV than the general population. In 2004, an HIV scare that affected at least 14 performers shut down production at several California studios.