Massage

[Pat677]

Dear Dr., after I night out with my mates (3 days ago) we ended up in a massage parlour. A girl gave me a massage that was followed by a handjob (she was clothed). Afterwards I felt horrible (still do). I searched the net to find out if there was any risk involved in my encounter. Some sites say that there is a risk for syphilis, herpes, scabies and warts!? From browsing your archives I found out there is no risk. Could you please clarify? Even if there is a minimal risk i want to make everything to protect my girlfriend. So should I be tested for anything? Is there anything more I can do or is it really safe and advisable to just put that encounter behind me and forget it? Your answer is highly appreciated. Pat

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Last time.,  No risk.  Further questions will be deleted without comment.  EWH

[Robbie11]

Dear Dr. Hook, LAST short question, promise! To be 100% sure I went back to the place and asked the lady if I may inspect her hands. Her hands looked perfectly fine! Do you agree that I definitely would have noticed every sign of any skin-to-skin disease (syphilis or herpes lesion, scabies rash or warts) without any shadow of a doubt. If you can agree on that I will drop the whole thing, PROMISE! Best, Pat

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your concerns are not warranted.  Syphilis is not a common disease so your assumption that her hands frequently contact syphilis lesions is wrong.  Secondly and even more importantly, unless she actually had a syphilitic sore on her finger/hand, hand to genital transmission of any STD, including syphilis simply does not occur.  The organism does not linger on peoles' hands for long perriods of time.  EWH

[Pat677]

Dear Dr. Hook, I cannot drop my worries. I am especially worried about syphilis. A womans hands working in that job must come into contact with syphilis lesions frequently. So bacteria from lesions could easily be passed over again to another customers penis, right!? Or does infection from fingers to penis simply not happen? Please tell me where I got it wrong and help me out of that! Best, Pat

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your exposure is zero risk.  You did not penetrate her in any way and your exposure to her secretions was minimal.  Thus this exposure is within the realm of masturbation which is safe sex.  No risk to you for acquisition of HIV or any other STD.  Please realize that in the course of masturbation miniscule amounts of genital secretions are inadvertently shared between partners, nonetheless there are no HIV transmissions which have ever occurred in this way.  Thus there is no risk to your girlfriend.  Hope this helps.  EWH