Nevada is in the grip of a syphilis epidemic. A recent study puts Nevada in the top ten states with the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections. Nevada ranks fourth among states with the largest increase in such cases nationwide. In 2021, Nevada placed fifth in terms of primary and secondary syphilis rates and ninth in rates of congenital syphilis. Over the period from 2017 to 2021, the state experienced a 99% rise in congenital syphilis rates.
The rise of STIs in general and the disturbing uptick in syphilis, in particular, is often attributed to a reduction in sexual education, a decrease in preventative measures, disruptions to health care screenings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased sexual health risks linked to drug use.
Nevada, a state renowned for its adult tourism and acceptance of various forms of vice, is currently grappling with this significant syphilis outbreak. When you combine the increase in STIs with the alarming World Population Review report, ranking Nevada 2nd for states with the highest rates of human trafficking, a grim picture of the Silver State’s sex industry emerges. Tourists are coming to Nevada to purchase sex with illegal prostitutes, some of whom may be trafficking victims, and sex buyers are potentially contracting diseases like syphilis from these sex workers. When these sex buyers return to their lives at home, they are conceivably infecting their loved ones and perhaps even transmitting the disease to unborn children.
As America’s longest-serving legal brothel madam, I have a great deal of respect for all sex workers, regardless of their legal status, but the rise in syphilis needs to be addressed in the sex work community. Sex workers operating independently and illegally in cities like Las Vegas and Reno are not required to undergo comprehensive STI testing. Therefore, it is impossible to truly know the number of illicit sex workers in our state presently carrying the disease. Sex buyers are playing Russian roulette with their health if they blindly trust the STI status of any non-registered sex worker.
Luckily for sex tourists, Nevada is the only state that has legalized prostitution in the form of licensed and regulated brothels. Here’s the facts:
- All sex workers operating out of Nevada’s legal brothels are tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases, including syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV.
- If a brothel worker tests positive for any STI, she is not permitted to work.
- There has never been a case of a client contracting a sexually transmitted disease as a result of an encounter with a sex worker at a legal Nevada brothel.
It’s telling that experts believe a reduction in sexual education is a key reason for the surge in syphilis rates. Perhaps the best education Nevada can offer sex tourists is informing these libidinous travelers they need not risk their health when they’re looking for naughty fun. One or more licensed brothels are located just a short drive from most cities in the state. Nevada’s legal brothels are a valuable resource, providing a safe, private, and healthy outlet for men, women, and couples seeking high-quality sensual services from compassionate companions. Nevada’s legal brothel industry not only safeguards public health but also promotes responsible indulgence at a time when such measures are desperately needed.
