[Question #10029] Handjob anxiety and panic

26 months ago

I am a gay man, and yesterday I received a handjob(not to completion) from an anonymous male at a local cruising area. I did not touch his penis at any time. I am terrified I contracted an STI. Do I need to test?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

26 months ago

Welcome to the forum. I'm happy to help.

STIs are not transmitted by hand-genital contact. A theoretical risk could exist, especially for those infections transmitted by skin-skin contact (e.g. herpes, HPV, syphilis), but even for these it would only be if genital fluids are used for lubrication. However, I stress this is theoretical only, with few if any actual cases in which it happens. Even the busiest public health STI clinics never see infected persons whose only possible contact was hand-genital contact.

So this was a zero risk event. You do not need to be tested for any STI.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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26 months ago

Dr. Handsfield, thank you for your response.

Can you please clarify the following:

1. Based on your reply, I'm assuming I can resume unprotected sex with my partner (without testing)?

2. You mention a theoretical risk for skin to skin contact if genital fluids are present. Is the risk infinitesimal, and therefore testing is not needed?

3. Is there one skin to skin STI more easily spread than another, and so I need to observe for possible symptoms?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

26 months ago

1. Correct. There is no STI risk for your partner. If somehow I were in your situation, I would continue unprotected sex with my wife without fear of infecting her.

2. Correct, no testing needed -- as I said above.

3. I mentioned the three main STIs that theoretically could be transmitted in this way. None is any more likely than the others.

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26 months ago

Thank you. As my last reply before this is closed, your most recent response for #3 confused me. The three main skin-to-skin STIs that “could be transmitted in that way.” Although none is more likely than the other, ALL three pose only a theoretical (little to no) risk, correct? It can across as they can be transmitted, which is why I am confused.

I’d like to move on from this experience, so thank you for your time, expertise, and invaluable service. Much appreciated!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

26 months ago

You're restating what I said, and which you apparently understand, in different words. What is "confusing" about a theoretical risk that has never happened? It means you are not at risk for any STD.

Believe it and move on!

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