Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Are The Chances Of STD Transmission Through Skin To Skin Contact?
Question: I massaged a man today and ended up giving him a handjob. I did not use gloves, and he had lots of precum and he finished on my hand with his semen all over my fingers. I have never done this before and have been concerned about STD's. I came across Herpetic whitlow and have been so terrified that I may get that. Should I be worried? He told me he has had other massages before and has had body to body contact of which I did not want to do. He is married, but I think it doesnt matter.
Brief Answer:
Rare possibility of transmission
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query. I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
There are some STDs which can be transmitted by skin to skin contact like herpes. Other STDs are usually not transmitted by this route. Skin acts as an effective barrier even for HIV. Palm skin is thicker and resistance is higher for transmission.
Herpes transmission is higher if active lesions are present. As no active lesions in the person it is remote possibility.
If he is not infected you are totally safe.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venereologist
Rare possibility of transmission
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query. I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
There are some STDs which can be transmitted by skin to skin contact like herpes. Other STDs are usually not transmitted by this route. Skin acts as an effective barrier even for HIV. Palm skin is thicker and resistance is higher for transmission.
Herpes transmission is higher if active lesions are present. As no active lesions in the person it is remote possibility.
If he is not infected you are totally safe.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venereologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Thank you Dr. I have just been scared reading about the Herpes on the hand and how it can get under by cuts or cuticles. He had precum the whole time I gave the Handjob and that was about 5-10 minutes and as soon as he finished I washed my hands with soap and hot water multiple times. So you believe there really is no need to worry?
Im concerned about touching my wife at all.
Im concerned about touching my wife at all.
Brief Answer:
Need not worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Just by contact with semen/ precum you need not get herpes. The presence of active lesion in the person increases the chances of transmission.
If he has no diseases or active lesion the chances are nil. You need not worry.
You can transmit to others/ Wife only when you have infection. To acquire herpes in palm (herpetic Whitlow), you need to get exposed to virus repeatedly. Here the person is likely not infected and you are exposed only once to him.
So rare chance of getting herpes infection
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Need not worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Just by contact with semen/ precum you need not get herpes. The presence of active lesion in the person increases the chances of transmission.
If he has no diseases or active lesion the chances are nil. You need not worry.
You can transmit to others/ Wife only when you have infection. To acquire herpes in palm (herpetic Whitlow), you need to get exposed to virus repeatedly. Here the person is likely not infected and you are exposed only once to him.
So rare chance of getting herpes infection
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
