I know you've answered but another question on handjobs!

[TribecaJoe]

I have been reading through the responses on this forum and feel 95% confident that I am “safe” but I wanted to describe my predicament nonetheless.  I went to a bachelor party in Estonia about a month ago (I live in the US) and while there, I went to a massage parlor.  The place was very clean and very professional but the next thing I knew the masseuse was giving me a handjob (she was fully clothed throughout).  Plenty of massage oil was used but the masseuse did not use gloves.  I did not examine her hands prior to or during the massage and could not say if there were any cuts present.  This is where I think my situation is different.  A couple of days prior to the massage, I used a razor to groom my genital region.  I do this every few months or so and usually wind up with a few small cuts.  My question then is the worst case: Assuming I had cuts from shaving near the base of my penis that had not fully healed and assuming that this masseuse had HIV and had open cuts on her hand, could I have contracted HIV?  Could the massage oil have been carrying the masseuse’s blood and could it have entered my penis through any cuts on the shaft or via the opening when I ejaculated?  It’s now been about 3 weeks and I’ve thought about this on and off and have stressed myself out way too much. I have HSV2 but it’s not a problem and I take Valtrex everyday to suppress outbreaks (I did not have an outbreak during my Estonia trip).  I have a long term girlfriend with whom I have avoided sex until I come to some resolution on this.  I just had a full physical prior to my Estonia trip and everything was shown to be normal and I’m in excellent health (outside of the annoying HSV2).  Can you tell me definitively that I am okay and that there is no need for me to wait and get tested for HIV?  Can I go ahead and resume a sexual relationship with my girlfriend?  Thanks very much for your help.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your situation really isn't different than others.  But perhaps there hasn't been a question about handjobs plus genital shaving together.  Anyway handjobs are zero risk, and there is no evidence that genital shaving increases the risk through genital intercourse.  And HIV isn't transmitted via massage oil.  You had a zero risk exposure, do not need HIV testing, and can continue sex with your girlfriend.

Good luck---  HHH, MD

[TribecaJoe]

Thanks a lot doctor for your assurances.  I resumed a sexual relationship with my girlfriend and I think my anxiety is coming back into play.  Obviously I would be upset if I contracted HIV but I would be absolutely devastated if I gave her the virus.  Can I ask how from a medical standpoint it is not possible for transmission to occur?  If I shaved my genital area (inclusive of the testicles) and there were cuts and the masseuse was gushing blood from cuts on her hands, why is it impossible for transmission to occur?  I know you say that there have been no documented cases of this and I believe you - I just don’t understand it from a scientific/medical standpoint.  I know I am presenting a worst case and it is probable that the masseuse did not have any cuts and that she was negative for HIV.  But assuming a worst case, are you still telling me that I had a zero risk exposure?  Part of me thinks that I should go to my doctor and get an HIV test at the 6-week mark and then part of me doesn’t understand why I can’t just let it rest.  This may be more a mental disease than anything and I know that I probably should consider seeking some kind of mental help.  Anyway, thanks in advance for your help.