Handjob escalation into something worrying

[questionablemike]

Hi,

I've had a recent encounter which is giving me a little concern. I should start by saying I currently have no physical symptoms to speak of, and my question regards the possibility of what could happen. My specific concern is the transmission of herpes, I've disregarded any possibility of anything more serious (eg. HIV).

A few days ago I had an encounter with a female sex worker. I've always been aware of the possibilities of STD's and so I asked for something I consider safe sex - a handjob. I've read and understand enough to know that receiving a handjob is a low to no risk activity, and had it been literally just this, I'd have no reason to be concerned.

However, mid way through the experience the woman in question began to masterbate herself, quite vigarously, then returned to me, obviously using the same hands she'd used on herself. This happened a few times. At this point I guess it becomes obvious i'm asking a hand to genital question, with a specific concern being herpes transmission. From what i've read on here, with the exception of a few random user comments, the general opinion seems to be this is still a very low risk activity, but i just wanted to get - hopefully - some reassurance that I shoulldn't have anything to worry about.

I can't say I noticed anything about the woman to suggest she had herpes, but then i'm not a doctor and it wouldn't necessarily be obvious. I assume, rightly or wrongly, that she may have it. I realise that hand to genital transmission is very rare, if it happens at all, but i'm just concerned the the speed with which she was going from herself to me has increased my risk of potential infection.

[questionablemike]

Thank you,

That has put my mind at rest. I'll no doubt keep the 14 days in mind but i intend to try to ignore any anxiety about this unless I find a genuine (physical) reason that changes things.

I'm sure my message has been echoed a million times on here, but there's a strange comfort in having someone with qualified experience talk/chat directly to you.

Once again thanks, and hopefully i'll have no need to post further comments.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum. thanks for the summary.  We get many questions regarding exposures of this type and our uniform message is that hand to genital STD transmission of any sort is unheard of.  I would thus correct your statement that hand to genital transmission is low risk and re-stage that it is virtually unheard of. there are very, very rare instances when persons have had HSV lesions described on their fingers however in over 30 years in the field, I have NEVER heard of such lesions, rare as they are, leading to transmission of infection.  I am confident that you have nothing to worry about.  

FYI and jsut in case you were wondering, if you were going to develop HSV through the mechanism you describe, it would be expected that you would develop genital lesions between 4 and 14 days after your exposure.  Thus, should there be any lingering worries after the reassurance that I have provided, they should be completely gone 14 days after your exposure.

Hope this comment is helpful.  EWH