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Can HIV Be Contracted Through Bodily Secretions On Clothing And Contamination Through Cuts?
Question: Hello Dr. I went to a massage parlor and no sexual actions took place. I have some questions as my mind is scared and my OCD is out of control. Can HIV be transferred through massage oil, or from secrections on the matress from a previous patron? Can i get it through wet towels that were used to wipe me down and could have not been washed before? Also i had a cut on my finger and some other cuts on my body that were pretty new. What if she had a cut on her finger and was massaging me, and massaged those areas where i had cuts. Im just so paranoid and i cant stop thinking about it. Please help.
Brief Answer:
Your HIV risk is almost "NIL"
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Before I am answering your question, I want you to imagine a situation. How many massage parlors in your country and around the world? How many clients are being engaged there every day especially in a country of tourist attractions and a city like Bangkok. If HIV could be transmitted through the means described by you, in your query, at least half of the world population (through the clients and their sex partners) would have HIV in their body. Fortunately it is not so.
HIV cannot be viable outside the body, not more than a few seconds. There is no question of it surviving in a massage oil, wet towel, soiled linens like mattress and sheets.
All the parlor girls are not HIV positive individuals. They all know the risk in their job, and they know their limitations, taken adequate steps of precautions at every step as their life also is precious for them and they would have periodic check ups too. Towels are not reused without being adequately sterilized.
Cut injury in their fingers in their hands (if she is an HIV positive woman) and cut injury in your body also have negligible risk towards HIV transmission, as far as CDC is concerned, XXXXXXX USA. As long as there is no exchange of body fluids, the risk of HIV in a massage parlor is almost 'NIL'.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. S. Murugan
HIV AIDS Specialist
Your HIV risk is almost "NIL"
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Before I am answering your question, I want you to imagine a situation. How many massage parlors in your country and around the world? How many clients are being engaged there every day especially in a country of tourist attractions and a city like Bangkok. If HIV could be transmitted through the means described by you, in your query, at least half of the world population (through the clients and their sex partners) would have HIV in their body. Fortunately it is not so.
HIV cannot be viable outside the body, not more than a few seconds. There is no question of it surviving in a massage oil, wet towel, soiled linens like mattress and sheets.
All the parlor girls are not HIV positive individuals. They all know the risk in their job, and they know their limitations, taken adequate steps of precautions at every step as their life also is precious for them and they would have periodic check ups too. Towels are not reused without being adequately sterilized.
Cut injury in their fingers in their hands (if she is an HIV positive woman) and cut injury in your body also have negligible risk towards HIV transmission, as far as CDC is concerned, XXXXXXX USA. As long as there is no exchange of body fluids, the risk of HIV in a massage parlor is almost 'NIL'.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. S. Murugan
HIV AIDS Specialist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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