HPV worries

[Robbie11]

Dear Dr. Rockoff, I worry about the possibility of hand-genital-warts-transmission. Over the last 3-4 years I received massages with happy endings about every 2 weeks (lots of exposures). The masseuses gave me anal (no insertion) and penis massages at the end of sessions. I always regarded the hand-genital-contact as 100% safe. Reading on the internet raised doubts on that. So: 1) Are masseuses likely to have contracted HPV (esp. high risk) on to their hands from other customers? 2) Is it likely that they could spread it further to my penis or anus? 3) Do you recommend any testing? 4) Can I safely have sex with my long-time girlfriend?
I do not have visible warts. Last exposure was one week ago. Thank you for your opinion. I guess I am overreacting because of guilt feelings. I especially worry because of the numerous contacts and because of the even more numerous contacts of the girls to other customers.

[aware360]

The truth is many Doctors are not well versed with the HPV virus. There are over 100 strains. Some considered to only be sexually transmitted, but that would not explain the cases of infants developing RRP due to Vaginal birth (RRP is recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, which is the HPV virus in the throat and respiratory system.) And HPV can take anywhere from weeks to years to show. Also you can develop flat warts or subcutaneous warts which can not always be seen. So there is no 100% way to know if you have HPV and if you have transmitted it to your girlfriend. Though if they have transmitted the virus to you and it is anywhere other than the shaft of the penis, ie scrotum you can't protect your girlfriend even with condoms. Though don't freak out and think you have the virus either, All you can do is be aware of your exposure and if you exhibit symptoms down the road be responsible enough to inform your partner.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

If people could spread warts from hands to genitals or vice versa, anyone with warts one place or the other would get them everywhere else just from washing and showering.  They don't.  I don't think you are at significant risk or that you are putting your girlfriend at risk.  If you see a wart, get it taken care of.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff