Final word on STD and touching

[brookdale]

Most of the advice here says that the risk of spreading a STD by touching, massage, asian massage parlors, etc is very..very low, if not non-existent.

However if you go to Columbia University's 'Go Ask Alice' site... you see this...

As such, the most common cause of herpes is direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has an active infection. It is possible, however, to spread the virus via the fingers (i.e., if someone touches an active sore and then touches a mucous membrane), manual stimulation and masturbation included.    http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/0102.html

They mention this get worse during viral shedding.  Some of the STD testing labs also say that touching a vagina and touching your penis can lead to a STD.

What are your thoughts on this ... is it safe to have nude massages or mutual masturbation?

[auntiejessi]

You have no risk.  I promise.

I hope you aren't planning any more trips to any massage parlors.  :)

AJ

[brookdale]

I am probably just nervous.  I don't usually go to massage parlors.  I touched the girl's vagina through her underwear and felt her clitoris.  I did not put my finger inside her. I don't think I can get the herpes virus attached to my finger this way?

She did not touch herself, she just rubbed my penis.  At one point she touched my urethra, and I told her to stop.  She did rub my anus. I did not see cuts on her hand.  She had fingernails, how long does the virus live outside of mucous membrane?

Based on this, what is my risk factor?

[auntiejessi]

Your penis can have microscopic tears in it, because it is a mucous membrane.

Guys get outbreaks on their testicles because herpes is a genital infection.  Herpes infects nerve groups, and genital herpes infects the sacral ganglia, so in theory, you can have outbreaks any where from the waist down, but it usually happens in the "boxer short" area.

I've worked in this field for a long time, and have never heard a 20% stat about hand to genitals.  The number you gave is from the CDC, and their fact sheet says nothing about hand to genital transmission.  http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm#Howspread

AJ

[brookdale]

The Go Ask Alice site quotes from the National Herpes Hotline
919.361.8488 website.  In fact on teh Go Ask Alice site, I was remembering seeing that
they quoted national statistics saying 20% of persons get herpes from hand to genital contact.  Something I find hard to believe.

Another question I have, is if herpes needs an opening along mucous membrane, urethra,etc, how do people get herpes on their testicles?  One lab told me that there are cracks along the penis and testicles that herpes can enter, IS THIS TRUE?

[auntiejessi]

I am a moderator on another herpes message board, and have worked in the field for years, and I only know of one person who MIGHT have gotten herpes that from just touching, and even she doubts that she got it this way, because the guy didn't have an ob.  She just isn't sure how she got it, or when.

Shedding wouldn't make it worse.  At the most, the chances would be the same, if not less.  We dont' know how much virus has to be present to transmit it, and its possible the amount of virus needed to become infected with herpes varies from person to person.

I also searched the go ask alice site, and can't find her credentials anywhere.  Is she just copying things she has seen on other sites, or is she a nurse, etc?

Touching someone else and then touching yourself is also low risk for other stds.  In theory, its possible to get an std that way, but I'd say its unlikely.

Have you tested?  If you are so concerned, why not just get tested and go from there?

Nude massages are fine, and so is mutual masturbation.

AJ