[Question #10934] HIV/Hepatitis C

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18 months ago
Dear Dr., 
A twist results from hemorrhoids. Had a treatment, but now they bleed sometimes.
Went to a massage and the clothed woman massaged my anus a long time and very intensely. Right before the massage I went to the toilet to urinate and after just a fart (sorry..) I was bleeding a little from my anus. Then I took a shower and went for the massage. There were no traces of blood after the massage or on the towels, but I assume that the "wound" on the hemorrhoids was still fresh and open and perhaps accessible from the outside. She did not finger inside my anus.
1) IF she had (tiny) traces of blood on her hands from a cut or scrape, would this constitute a risk, especially for Hepatitis C? (I am vaccinated for HAV and HBV. But I have read that even tiny and dried traces of HCV stay infectious for days.)
2) Same question for HIV.
Regards
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
18 months ago
I'm sorry to see you back. I believe you have the record for the most questions by any single forum user. Based those discussions, there is no doubt you know the answers to these questions -- intellectually if not emotionally.

FYI, the only sexual practices that transmit HCV are traumatic anal events between men, i.e. with potential bleeding. Think fisting etc --  certainly not the sort of contact you describe here.

1) No risk. 2) No risk.

HHH, MD
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18 months ago
Respected Dr. Handsfield,

your comment on the number of my questions has struck me and I don't want to misuse this forum no more. I have just this one follow-up and then I will never be back to this forum thereafter.

You mention "potential bleeding" and that was exactly what I was referring to. I even had actual bleeding from my anus. But again, contact was just with her hands and just superficial and not insertive. So if I have gotten everything right, penetration (with a penis, or a fist?) would be necessary to potentially transmit HCV or HIV. If you can clarify this really one last time for me, I would be really grateful.

I did probably not appear like this to you, but all my usual friends and contacts would testify that I keep my promises.

So I promise to never write again in this forum from now on!

Your help over the years is nevertheless very much appreciated, thank you ever so much.
Take care!
Karl
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
18 months ago
The risk of HCV for traumatic anal sex is for the penetrating partner, not the anal partner. Neither HCV nor any other STD can be carried on hands or fingers in sufficient amount to transmit infection. Even if the massage provider has active HCV, you were not at risk.

You have previously mentioned your social and business situation. Your personal integrity is not in question and never has been. And your questions are not an abuse of your forum privileges -- unlike some users with repeated questions, we have never asked you to stop posting when legitimate concerns arise about STD/HIV risks, symptoms, etc. That said, I would encourage you to think objectively if and when the need seems to arise, and consider whether the issue on your mind has been addressed previously or the answer is obvious from those discussions. If not, feel free to proceed.
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