According to statistics of 1992 (via the National Health and Social Life Survey) 20 per cent of American men paid for sex at least once - which means each fifth man resorted to the services of a prostitute or an “escort” minimum once in his life. BBC news report this figure nearly doubled by 2005.

The Internet should be blamed for that, of course. Today it is easy to find a companion online: escort and adult dating websites are safer and “cleaner” to use, besides they provide greater choice and more privacy and confidentiality.

This boom contributes to growing health awareness as escorts‘ clients are at increased risk catching sexually transmitted infections (STI).

Only each fifth man (out of those infected) visits a sexual health clinic, according to the statistics - thus the chain grows and sadly these men’s closest people suffer: their girlfriends and wives who trust their partners and are unaware of their past (or even present).

Here are some steps that must be taken if you are using escort services:

- Always use a condom (it is reported that Latex condoms are highly effective - I’d say, most effective - at preventing STIs and HIV transmission)

- If you are going to use the service of an escort service agency, make sure to inquire them how (often) they screen their employees for STIs and HIV.

- Regularly visit a sex health clinic for screening and tests.