Risk from deep tissue massage

[danives]

Hi Doc and thanks for your helpful work,

I had a massage session in DC at my hotel and don't know the status of the masseuse. She was professional. She massaged my back, chest, legs and arms for 2 hours. Never came near my privates and was always properly dressed. Not sure if she washed her hands before the massage session or not. She used lavender oil. I am very concerned about HIV transmission because my chest was irritated and might have had some cuts from scratching it earlier. I also remember slightly rubbing my eye with my hand that might have had some massage oil.

-What is the risk of transmission?
-Is it possible to catch hiv from her hands/ contaminated oil or towels?
- Also 4 weeks later, I got a cold with no fever, sore throat with flem but so did my son, daughter and wife, I also got one sore in the mouth (depressed) for 3 days (might have been due to hot food, not sure). Could that be related to an exposure?

Since this encounter, I am making sure I use separate towels at home. In your opinion, is there a slight risk and should I get tested? I am very concerned particularly for my little kids.

Thank you for your help.

[danismark]

A related discussion, HIV skin torn was started.

[Yogie65]

A related discussion, Massage was started.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, there are no reports of HIV being transmitted through massage.  HIV is transmitted in adults only through penetrative genital or ano-genital sex or introduction of infected material deep into tissue.  EWH

[danives]

Dr. Hook,

I appreciate your comment. A brief followup, I am curious if you have seen cases with HIV transmitted through massage or similar non-sexual interaction or should I assume that this cannot happen or at least hasn't happen. Thank you.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the forum.  I hope that i can convince you that you are over reacting.  Even before we evaluate the issue of your exposure, please believe that there is little risk that your masseuse had HIV- few do.  Even in the very unlikely circumstance that she did have HIV, there are no cases in which HIV has been transmitted in the course of a massage unless there was penetrative sexual contact.  HIV is transmitted only through penetrative genital or ano-genital sexual contact of introduction of infected material deep into tissue.  Further HIV is not transmitted on inanimate objects such as towels.  This was a no risk exposure with no need for concern and no need for testing.

As for the family illness that you describe, this is likely a coincidence, totally unrelated to the sexual contact you describe.

I hope this comment is helpful.  As I said, this was a no risk event with no need for concern or for testing.  EWH