In early 2004 adult star Darren James was found to be HIV-positive after working with three HIV positive Brazilian adult-film actresses, one of whom infected him. James, in turn, infected an American actress, Lara Roxx. Between them, they contacted another 25 adult film actors. The CDC and LA County Department of Health, with the cooperation of AIM, studied the outbreak, and shut down the industry until virus was contained. LADOH later required all adult-film actors to wear condoms.
Much of the action in this episode takes place in LA's San Fernando Valley. "The Valley" is often referred to as the adult movie capital of the US because of the number of adult films made there, often in private homes, each year.
The blood test organization, FITS, depicted here is fictional but it's pretty much in line with the real Adult Industry Medical Service (AIM).
Because the head and feet that begin the episode's murder case were found in West Hollywood, the medical examiner running an HIV test was a matter of routine. This was done because the city of West Hollywood's population is predominantly gay, which strongly influences the city's social and political agendas.
Beth Broderick in real life is an advocate for AIDS