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Hello, I Went For A Back Massage Recently. Legs, Head,

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Posted on Sun, 16 Feb 2020
Question: Hello,
I went for a back massage recently. Legs, head, arms, back, feet.
It was a seedy place and handjob was offered duringg the massage. I refused.
Massage was 2 hours. She was fully clothed. I was wearing massage shorts over my underwear. I have started to develop hiv anxiety as it was such a seedy establishment.
Is there anyway this could lead to hiv infection?
I am worried now but even though i knew the place was seedy, i did not feel a massage was the remotest risk. In fact, i congratulated myself for refusing on leaving and the next day.
Ocd has since taken over and i fear if i had a small cut on my back or spot or on my legs. If she had a cut can this put me at risk? Worried about blood to blood.
How much blood would be needed? Are we talking large open wounds? So little spots or scratches present zero risk? I did not have any noticeable cuts but i get the occasional pimple on my back. Am I safe, 100%? Are there any other diseases i should consider?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
Hello,
I went for a back massage recently. Legs, head, arms, back, feet.
It was a seedy place and handjob was offered duringg the massage. I refused.
Massage was 2 hours. She was fully clothed. I was wearing massage shorts over my underwear. I have started to develop hiv anxiety as it was such a seedy establishment.
Is there anyway this could lead to hiv infection?
I am worried now but even though i knew the place was seedy, i did not feel a massage was the remotest risk. In fact, i congratulated myself for refusing on leaving and the next day.
Ocd has since taken over and i fear if i had a small cut on my back or spot or on my legs. If she had a cut can this put me at risk? Worried about blood to blood.
How much blood would be needed? Are we talking large open wounds? So little spots or scratches present zero risk? I did not have any noticeable cuts but i get the occasional pimple on my back. Am I safe, 100%? Are there any other diseases i should consider?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
There is no risk for HIV infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome in "Ask a Doctor".
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

I have read carefully your history, having just massage ( even if you have small cuts in your body), you shouldn't worry because there is absolutly no risk for HIV.
You should know that needs an amount blood to blood contact of a large open wound to exist the risk of HIV.
In this situation could exist the risk of syphilis if she had skin lesion in her hands during the massage(secondary syphilisis).

Hope I have answered your query.
Feel free to ask me further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
There is no risk for HIV infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome in "Ask a Doctor".
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

I have read carefully your history, having just massage ( even if you have small cuts in your body), you shouldn't worry because there is absolutly no risk for HIV.
You should know that needs an amount blood to blood contact of a large open wound to exist the risk of HIV.
In this situation could exist the risk of syphilis if she had skin lesion in her hands during the massage(secondary syphilisis).

Hope I have answered your query.
Feel free to ask me further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (50 minutes later)
Hello Dr. Massage oil was used if this makes a difference. Do you think i need to consider syphillis in thisninstance then?
Also, to be clear. When discussing blood to blood contact, i would need to have had a large wound that was fr3ash and open - somwthing i would clearly have noticed - and she would need an actively bleeding sore? In other words i would have noticed large amounts of bleeding? Is my understanding 100% correct?
Shouldni be worried about syphillis? Would you recommend testing?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
Hello Dr. Massage oil was used if this makes a difference. Do you think i need to consider syphillis in thisninstance then?
Also, to be clear. When discussing blood to blood contact, i would need to have had a large wound that was fr3ash and open - somwthing i would clearly have noticed - and she would need an actively bleeding sore? In other words i would have noticed large amounts of bleeding? Is my understanding 100% correct?
Shouldni be worried about syphillis? Would you recommend testing?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (1 minute later)
Would you recommend that i visit the masseuse again to look at her hands?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
Would you recommend that i visit the masseuse again to look at her hands?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (4 minutes later)
Just to be clear. There was no sexual contact.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
Just to be clear. There was no sexual contact.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (10 minutes later)
Sorry doc. Have pregnant wife so doubly concerned.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
Sorry doc. Have pregnant wife so doubly concerned.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It needed to have blood to blood contact from active bleeding sores.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again
I am sorry for my late response.

You should know that it needed to have blood to blood contact from large and active bleeding sores to exist the risk of HIV infection.
I think you shouldn't worry about syphilis because there is a little possibility that masseuse has secondary syphilis during this time.
But if you are very concerned you can meet and ask the masseuse to verify.

Hope I have answered your query.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
It needed to have blood to blood contact from active bleeding sores.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again
I am sorry for my late response.

You should know that it needed to have blood to blood contact from large and active bleeding sores to exist the risk of HIV infection.
I think you shouldn't worry about syphilis because there is a little possibility that masseuse has secondary syphilis during this time.
But if you are very concerned you can meet and ask the masseuse to verify.

Hope I have answered your query.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (1 hour later)
Hi doc. Thanks. Ruled hiv out. Can syphilis be caught on unbroken skin? Also, spoken with several other experts due to anxiety and all claim zero risk including syphilis claiming i must come into co ntact with moist lesions. Is this only a very theoretical risk?
Dr Hook on asktheexperts told one user that secondary syphilis is often dry and rarely transmits and every website i have read claims sexual contact. One US expert told me massage and syphilis simply never happens. Can you clarify? Is it a highly unlikely event? Sorry, i do not doubt you. Just confused. Thanks again.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
Hi doc. Thanks. Ruled hiv out. Can syphilis be caught on unbroken skin? Also, spoken with several other experts due to anxiety and all claim zero risk including syphilis claiming i must come into co ntact with moist lesions. Is this only a very theoretical risk?
Dr Hook on asktheexperts told one user that secondary syphilis is often dry and rarely transmits and every website i have read claims sexual contact. One US expert told me massage and syphilis simply never happens. Can you clarify? Is it a highly unlikely event? Sorry, i do not doubt you. Just confused. Thanks again.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (1 minute later)
Also, if i see no lesions on her hands. I will speak with her, is this 100% in the clear?
Spoke with the owner who claims all women are tested twice per year. Last time very recently in fact. They have to by local law apparently.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
Also, if i see no lesions on her hands. I will speak with her, is this 100% in the clear?
Spoke with the owner who claims all women are tested twice per year. Last time very recently in fact. They have to by local law apparently.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (22 hours later)
Brief Answer:
There exist a low possibility to get syphilis in this situation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome in "Ask a Doctor".
I am sorry for my late response.

Yes it is true that exist a low possibility to get syphilis in this situation (during a massage if she has skin lesion of secondary syphilis).
Furthermore, based on the data that all the women are tested for STI , I think that you shouldn't worry about syphilis in your situation.

Hope I have answered your query.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
There exist a low possibility to get syphilis in this situation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome in "Ask a Doctor".
I am sorry for my late response.

Yes it is true that exist a low possibility to get syphilis in this situation (during a massage if she has skin lesion of secondary syphilis).
Furthermore, based on the data that all the women are tested for STI , I think that you shouldn't worry about syphilis in your situation.

Hope I have answered your query.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (5 hours later)
Hi doc. I received this from one expert
You're missing the main point -- but you're on track with your request for explantion why. So here goes.


They call certain infections (or diseases) sexually transmitted for good reason. They are not simply infections that mostly involve the genitals but can be easily transmitted to other body sites. The bacteria and viruses that caused them evolved so that transmission requires contact of large amounts of them (or the fluids that contain them) with specialized cells that typically are deep inside the body. If they could be transmitted by hand-body contact, e.g. massage, then obviously they would also be transmitted by shaking hands, social kissing, exchanging money at cash registers, and iinnumlerable other forms of day to day interactions that involved skin contact with other people. 


Nobody catches any STDs by massage, hand-genital contact, or contact with infected fluids in the environment, e.g. on a massage table. It simply doesn't happen.


So please no more questions on this forum about exposures other than sex. It's nonsense to be worried. If and when you have sex, do it safetly (common sense partner selection, condoms, etc). If you do that, you'll never get an STD. Period.

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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
Hi doc. I received this from one expert
You're missing the main point -- but you're on track with your request for explantion why. So here goes.


They call certain infections (or diseases) sexually transmitted for good reason. They are not simply infections that mostly involve the genitals but can be easily transmitted to other body sites. The bacteria and viruses that caused them evolved so that transmission requires contact of large amounts of them (or the fluids that contain them) with specialized cells that typically are deep inside the body. If they could be transmitted by hand-body contact, e.g. massage, then obviously they would also be transmitted by shaking hands, social kissing, exchanging money at cash registers, and iinnumlerable other forms of day to day interactions that involved skin contact with other people. 


Nobody catches any STDs by massage, hand-genital contact, or contact with infected fluids in the environment, e.g. on a massage table. It simply doesn't happen.


So please no more questions on this forum about exposures other than sex. It's nonsense to be worried. If and when you have sex, do it safetly (common sense partner selection, condoms, etc). If you do that, you'll never get an STD. Period.

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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (1 minute later)
And this from another
There are no reports of STDs transmission through hands. So, it never happens. Syphilitic lesions on hands are dry (papulosquamous) and the bacteria isn't found in those. Only moist lesions like oral ulcers/ patches and condyloma acuminata in moist body folds like genitalia, perianal area are contagious.
Take care
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
And this from another
There are no reports of STDs transmission through hands. So, it never happens. Syphilitic lesions on hands are dry (papulosquamous) and the bacteria isn't found in those. Only moist lesions like oral ulcers/ patches and condyloma acuminata in moist body folds like genitalia, perianal area are contagious.
Take care
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (2 minutes later)
This from another
Syphilis is not spread by casual hand to body contact at all.

An infected person with syphilis ( which she almost certainly is not to begin with), spreads to a new person by sex.

By exchange of infected fluids. By mucosal contact potentially.

Not by intact skin touching someone else.

0 risk

0

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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
This from another
Syphilis is not spread by casual hand to body contact at all.

An infected person with syphilis ( which she almost certainly is not to begin with), spreads to a new person by sex.

By exchange of infected fluids. By mucosal contact potentially.

Not by intact skin touching someone else.

0 risk

0

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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (3 minutes later)
Just to finalise. When you so low possibilty, are we talkimg theoretical risks? Virtually zero reharding syphilis. Not a couple of other doctors specifically state zero. One states no medical.record of it happening. Would you agree? Never been medically documented?
Would you agree with this as virtually zero risk but just highlihhting a technicality of minite possibility?
The other doctor went onto to say secondary is more to do with sores roumd genitals?
Jist need final clarification on this.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
Just to finalise. When you so low possibilty, are we talkimg theoretical risks? Virtually zero reharding syphilis. Not a couple of other doctors specifically state zero. One states no medical.record of it happening. Would you agree? Never been medically documented?
Would you agree with this as virtually zero risk but just highlihhting a technicality of minite possibility?
The other doctor went onto to say secondary is more to do with sores roumd genitals?
Jist need final clarification on this.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (43 hours later)
Brief Answer:
In your situation exist zero risk to get syphilisis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome in"Ask a Doctor".
I am sorry for my late response.

Yes when I say low possibility I mean theoretical risk( specially when the patient has mucosal opened lesion in genital area and oral except skin rash in secondary syphilisis or other part of body in primary syphilisis).
So , I agree with these statments and as well as in your situation exist zero risk to get syphilisis.

Hope I have answered your query.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
In your situation exist zero risk to get syphilisis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome in"Ask a Doctor".
I am sorry for my late response.

Yes when I say low possibility I mean theoretical risk( specially when the patient has mucosal opened lesion in genital area and oral except skin rash in secondary syphilisis or other part of body in primary syphilisis).
So , I agree with these statments and as well as in your situation exist zero risk to get syphilisis.

Hope I have answered your query.
Regards.
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Dr. Dr. Monika Dede

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Practicing since :2003

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Hello, I Went For A Back Massage Recently. Legs, Head,

Hello, I went for a back massage recently. Legs, head, arms, back, feet. It was a seedy place and handjob was offered duringg the massage. I refused. Massage was 2 hours. She was fully clothed. I was wearing massage shorts over my underwear. I have started to develop hiv anxiety as it was such a seedy establishment. Is there anyway this could lead to hiv infection? I am worried now but even though i knew the place was seedy, i did not feel a massage was the remotest risk. In fact, i congratulated myself for refusing on leaving and the next day. Ocd has since taken over and i fear if i had a small cut on my back or spot or on my legs. If she had a cut can this put me at risk? Worried about blood to blood. How much blood would be needed? Are we talking large open wounds? So little spots or scratches present zero risk? I did not have any noticeable cuts but i get the occasional pimple on my back. Am I safe, 100%? Are there any other diseases i should consider?