Massage Parlor and STD worries

[t_from_bayarea]

Hi Dr. I am a 26 y.o. asian circumcised male. Back in mid February I went to an Asian Massage Parlor in SF. After routine massage with me fully nude, lying face down on towel covered table, I had protected oral sex (receiving) and protected vaginal sex. After feeling loss of erection (no condom slippage), she began stroking my penis with condom. She then took condom off and resumed hand job until i finished.

I fear that I have contracted an STD and/or HIV. First signs were fatigue about a few weeks after incident. I've been living in fear, reading up symptoms and finding that I have many symptoms that are listed. Then I contracted a flu with typical flu symptoms including dizziness and positional vertigo. Had conjunctivitus in both eyes towards second week of flu. Doc precribed Amoxicillin. A week later I developed and still have tightness of chest, cough (sometimes productive), shortness of breath, a noticable new reddish brown dime sized bruise on left leg below knee-cap off to the side (I pressed on it and does not get lighter, slight tenderness when pressed and it is not raised). Took my temperature. 98.2 at around midnight. Around 10am next morning it was at 98.8.

Also want to note that I occasionally shave my penis to remove hair from shaft. Apply shaving lotion after. I did this hours before going to massage parlor. Curious if STD/HIV can be spread through dry or flaky skin on penis. No bleeding or cuts present. I occasionally notice dry flaky skin on top portion of penis from base to center (below circumcised line) when my skin is not moisturized. This i believe is irritation or chaffing from shaving there. I used condom during sex but not protected during handjob. Worried if her vaginal fluid from her touching condom with her fluids on it and then touching my skin (dry flaky area) could infect me.

I was HIV tested via Oraquick Rapid Oral swab on Mar 11 with negative results. (around 11-12 weeks after possible exposure). I have never been tested for other STD's but plan to in a couple weeks.

And finally I occasionally get itching around the sides of genital area (where scrotum meets bottom of shaft). Had this for years with no other symptoms. Skin is never bumpy, only itchy and does not occur very often. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Hand-to-genital transmission of HIV or any other STD has never been documented to occur; the risks are zero, or at least too low to warrant concern, testing, etc.  This applies even if your massage parlor contact was HIV infected, which she probably wasn't.  Your symptoms do not particularly suggest HIV or any STD, but a common cold (which conceivably you could have caught in the massage parlor, or from any passing acquaintance).  As I have said many times, symptoms NEVER are a reliable indicator either for or against HIV infection.  Your temperature is normal.

You did not need HIV testing, but your result proves 100% you did not acquire HIV during the massage parlor event.  You also do not need STD testing.

For more details, see many other threads on this forum and the STD Forum with the identical questions you have asked.  Search for "HIV anxiety", "HIV transmission", "hand-to-genital transmission", and "ARS symptoms", and "time to positive HIV test".

Finally, the standard advice applies:  My advice does not substitute for personal care by a health professional.  If you have symptoms that concern you, or further questions, see your primary provider.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[t_from_bayarea]

Thanks for the reply doctor. What about the flaky-dry skin on top of my penis? And the occasional itch around the base of genital region? Sometimes I look closely at the affected area on the top portion of the base to middle of my shaft and see the irritation and wonder if STD or HIV can possibly penetrate and enter my body through this area (besides the urethra).

Also is shaving my penis a danger to getting HIV or STD's? Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The flaky skin, itching, and shaving cannot raise a zero transmission risk.  There might be some miniscule elevation of STD/HIV risk during unprotected vaginal or anal sex, but not from oral sex or hand-to-genital contact.  But even among the highest risk people, such as gay men or the partners of known-infected persons, I would not recommend against shaving as an HIV protection measure.

HHH, MD

[t_from_bayarea]

Thanks Dr. Yeah, my biggest concern out of that whole incident was the vaginal fluid on hand penetrating dry-flaky skin on penis. There may have been incident when the condom wasnt rolled all the way down as I lost my erection, thus exposing my irritated skin to her vaginal secretions.

Your speedy responses are very much appreciated. Thanks for the help.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

For practical purposes, there is zero risk of HIV acquistion under those circumstances.  If you're going to worry about that level of risk to your health and life, I have to assume you will never again go outdoors in stormy weather, drive, or fly in commercial aircraft.  All carry much higher risks of death than the chance you caught HIV.

All sexually active persons should be tested regularly for HIV and common STDs (e.g., yearly, more often if at high risk).  So if you haven't been tested in the past year, this might be a good time.  But that advice has nothing to do with your massage parlor experience, which was not sufficiently risky to warrant testing.

HHH, MD

[t_from_bayarea]

Thanks again Dr. Well for sure I will never go out to a Massage Parlor again. The stress is not worth it. Just a stupid decision from trying to get over a past relationship.

I have been sexually active since I was 18 and the only testing I have ever done were HIV antibody tests. The most recent one being about 3 months since my last possible exposure in Feb. I will take your recommendation to get an overall STD test since I have never taken them before. Thanks for the responses. I didn't know doctors worked on Sundays. :)

[t_from_bayarea]

Just wanted to clarify comment 3 to make it more clear.

*Note to Dr. HHH, no need to respond if you feel there is no need to. I just wanted to make comment 3 a bit more clearer.

Thanks Dr. Yeah, my biggest concern out of that whole incident was the vaginal fluid on her hand penetrating dry-flaky skin on my penis during unprotected handjob. There may have been incident when the condom wasnt completely covering my penis all the way down as I lost my erection during vaginal sex, thus exposing my irritated skin to her vaginal secretions during vaginal sex.

Sorry about that. Just re-reading my original post, i didnt think it was completely care. Thanks.