What is a female sex worker?

I saw this phrase, female sex worker, in a report by scientist trying to find a vaccine against the AIDS virus, but just curious as to why somone would volunteer for this vaccine. Please, does anyone know?

I thought female sex workers were government-funded prostitutes!! jk.

It may have to do with the desire to do something worthwhile with her life (maybe for the first time). She may have already contracted AIDS and the prognosis is not good. This is a concept that you may have trouble grasping. Giving. Understandable since you are a taker.

Female sex workers are women involved in selling/providing sex. Prostitutes are "sex workers. Porn actor, both women and men are also considered "sex workers". Exotic dancer (strippers) are also considered part of the sex industry even if they do not provide sex to clients.

The term "sex worker" applies to, but is not limited to anyone, male or female, who makes a living by giving or receiving sexual pleasure and performing the acts resulting in such. Escorts (or prostitutes, though a lot of people make no distinction), massage therapists and counselors whose work includes sexual intercourse as part of their work, and even some doctors whose specialty is human sexuality, but may not necessary engage in or observe physical congress with their patients.

Yeah, my aunt who works for public health says that this is the new and politically correct word for hooker--oops! sorry-- "prostitute"!
p.s.--I'm not gay anymore! I'm a MSM (man-who-has-sex-with men), lesbians are WSW's (women who have sex with women)--whatever happened to good ol' LGBT's?

This really only confuses the whole thing even more, for although I am gay, I've been celibate for years--hence calling me an MSM is somewhat of a misnomer....