HIV from a prostate massage?

[drahnael]

10 days ago I received a prostate massage at a massage parlor.  The "therapist" had latex gloves on and there was no sexual contact other than the prostate massage. However, while she had the gloves on, but before she touched me, she touched (1) a dildo, which she immediately put down when I told her I was not interested and (2) the tip of the massage oil bottle.

Assuming that the dildo and massage oil bottle tip were exposed to HIV, would it be possible for her to then transfer that to me through the prostate massage (after she touched those items)?

I'm concerned b/c 1 day after the massage, I became nauseous.  2 days later I had nauseau, diareah, fever and night sweats. My doctor said I have gastroenteritis.  However, these symptoms have been persistent now for 10 days.  Gastroenteritis usually lasts about 3-7 days.  

Is it possible that I aquired HIV from the prostate massage and my symptoms of nauseau, diareah, fever and night sweats are really ARS?  My last HIV test was 9 months ago and it was negative.  Should I get tested again b/c of this incident?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

HIV is never sexually transmitted by fingering of genitals or anus, even when one partner has HIV.  It follows logically that there is also no such transmission in massage parlors.  It is not logical to suppose the dildo, massage oil, etc were contaminated with HIV.  Your symptoms do not suggest HIV, which cannot cause symptoms sooner than 10 days.

It is possible your gastroenteritis was somehow acquired during the massage, but not very likely.  There are certain kinds of gastroenteritis that last 10 days or more; if your symptoms continue, return to your doctor.  But this definitely is not a sign of HIV or any other STD.

So there definitely are no HIV worries here, and no need for testing for it.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[drahnael]

Thanks Doctor. I very much appreciate you taking the time to answer. I'll work with my gastroenterologist and let go of my unreasonable HIV concerns.

Much appreciated.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You still should be having no worries about HIV, which does not cause gastrointestinal symptoms like you describe, and probably are due to the same condition requiring endoscopy.  HIV also is not a likely cause of skin rash of the face.  Trust me on this: you absolutely could not have caught HIV from the sexual event described above.  You should talk to your GI doctor(s) about all your symptoms; they might be part of the same problem requiring endoscopy.  Even if not, most GI specialists also are internists and can handle most medical problems.

Since HIV is not possible, I won't have any more comments.  Good luck.

[drahnael]

Your response definitely put me at ease 2 weeks ago, but I'm having a hard time letting my HIV concers go for the following reasons.  (1) I'm still fighting naseau/diareah (for almost 4 weeks), (2) I had a rash all over my face and neck last night and (3) I started having severe lower back pain 2 days ago.  I'm worried these are symptoms of ARS.

I'm having an upper endoscopi tomorrow for the ongoing stomach problems, but I'm not sure who to talk to about the rash or back pain.  The rash involved very red, but not itchy patches on my face, neck and chest.  Additionally, any part of my body with a blemish or somewhere that was already slightly red (scars from having moles removed) became extremely red.  This lasted for about 2 hours and then I went to the ER.  Within 1 hour of checking in to the ER, the rash started to clear and 1 hour later the rash was completely gone.  I left the ER without being examined b/c it was 1:00 AM and they said I would have to wait another 2 hours.  

I'm 36 years old and I have never had a rash like that in my entire life.  So, with symptoms of nausea, diareah, lower back pain and this strange rash, I'm still worried about ARS.  Am I being ridiculous?