Genital warts was mentioned somewhere in the thread which are usually caused by the human papilloma virus. The vaccine Gardasil protects against two common strains that cause cancer and another two common strains that cause genital warts. It's usually recommended for those not yet exposed and tests have not been done to gauge effectiveness for older subjects. I'm not a doctor but I imagine it's useful training for the immune system and it does not involve a live virus. It is costly however, 3 doses each over $100, taken at 0, 2nd and 6th month.
If the working lady has a genital wart or a mouth lesion, you probably don't want to touch or kiss it.
Another vaccine that is useful is the hepatitis B vaccine if you haven't already taken it or been exposed. The Twinrix vaccine (against hep A and B) is also in 3 doses taken at 0, 1st and 6th month. It's a bit cheaper than the Gardasil vaccine. If you can afford both then they are probably good investments.
My own feeling is that the doctors who perform regular checkups on the working ladies should pay attention to obvious skin problems and not only treat them but stop the lady from working until they clear. Generally they are tested only for serious STDs like Aids, gonorrhea, syphillis, chlamydia. But if there are clear signs of herpes lesions or hpv warts around the mouth or genitals, doctors should take action. Of course the tests to confirm them may be complicated but they should be treated with anti-virals and a stop-work order issued for the 7-12 days it takes for these symptoms to clear when the subject is most infectious.
I've also seen some working ladies with extensive patches of skin discoloration and/or roughness developing on buttocks, back or chest. Not sure what is causing this but I hope their doctors are paying attention, treating them and issuing stop-work orders when necessary. Obviously this involves more work and repeat visits but they protect everyone and may prevent an epidemic. If the normal doctors are overburdened, perhaps they could refer some cases to the National Skin Centre and their specialists.
Finally I want to highlight a practice that might affect disease transmission. I understand that houses charge working ladies for the towels that they use. In some Cat 40/50 houses, some working ladies may resort to reusing towels to save money. If you see towels hanging to dry and are occasionally offered one that doesn't smell right, it might not be very clean. I would prefer if houses did not charge ladies for towels unless an excessive number were used.
Just some feedback I hope will be helpful
