Commericial sex - past and present

In the first part a short history of prostitution is given and some examples of its influence on fine arts and music are mentioned. As the general attitudeconcerning prostitution is changing, present practices of Viennese Health Authorities in respect to prostitutes (female sex-workers, FSW) are outlined. FSWs are recruited out of different social categories and nationalities, their legal status varies. The epidemiological and diagnosticalproblems as well as the quality of medical and social assistance are assessed. Good contacts to the female patients already exist, contacts areoffered also to the male sex providers, but these are less cooperative.