[Question #11500] Full Panic

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14 months ago
Please see previous post also, on June 8th, I went to a massage parlor. She didn't give me a happy ending. I massaged her  and undressed her. I masturbated her with my hand, penetrated her deeply with my fingers. Afterwards I  felt  guilty. On  June 19th I  went and got extensive testing, I know its early. All came back negative except Hep C. They are doing another test NAT? I think. I also tested positive for covid the same day. Is it even possible to get HEP C through masturbation? I am terrified now,  I performed oral sex on my other half last week, any risk to her?  I was tested negative for everything 04/10. There has been no intercourse AT ALL, am I SCREWED..Full Panic mode here. I am a nail biter  does that matter? I thought masturbation was safe
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
14 months ago
Welcome back, but I'm sorry you found it necessary. I reviewed your discussion last month with Terri and agree with her evaluation and advice. The exposure you described there put you at no risk for any and all STIs. That includes HCV, which cannot be transmitted by those events. If additional testing confirms you have it, then you acquired the virus at some other time and place. Or you might not have it at all, especially if your negative test results April 10 included HCV -- that is, your current positive result might be false.

The ONLY way HCV is sexually transmitted is by potentially traumatic anal sexual practices between men. It isn't transmitted by oral or vaginal sex, and certainly not by hand-genital contact.

At this point, I would advise just sitting tight and waiting for the NAAT result. Feel free to let me know at that time, but I won't have any more comments or advice until then.

HHH, MD
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13 months ago
Good afternoon, well the final report came back on the Hep C test that showed " out of range". In short, it is negative, in range per the NATT. I am not going to keep you  long, the only reason I can think that it even showed the other is that I had active covid. I read that one viral infection can make  a test a false positive. I am not a Doctor so  who knows. Thank you for the reassurance in your response earlier. I am not going to say I will not be back. It might just  be to pay 25 to say thank you for what you do. I am done, testing out of guilt. Thank you for what your group does..
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13 months ago
I guess I need  one more bit of assurance. I noticed after the massage where she began the massage and I changed it to her. Right at the top of my tail bone, not in my crack or anus area she pressed and rubbed hard. It was/ is rubbed  raw. I believe I know the answer but  any risk  at all. No exchange of fluid, blood, no sex, no penetration, just rubbed raw. Just let it heal, no risk?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
13 months ago
No STD can be transmitted by hand contact of any kind, regardless how vigorous. Even "rubbed raw" was entirely risk free.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
13 months ago
Sorry I forgot to reply to the previous question. I can't say whether having Covid had anything to do with the initial false positive screening test for HCV, but probably not; it happens from time to time with no obvious explanation. Your situation is another example of the problems that can arise with many labs' "comprehensive" STI test panels, one of the main reasons all STI experts strongly advise against such panels. HCV is never a risk sexually except in men having potentially traumatic anal sex with other men. When the chance of a particular infection is zero for all practical purposes, the likelihood of a false positive result is far higher than the possibility of detecting a newly acquired infection. With rare exceptions, the only lab tests that should be done for routine STI screening are tests of exposed site(s) for gonorrhea and chlamydia (urine, sometimes throat or rectum) and blood tests for HIV and syphilis. That's all.---
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13 months ago
I hope this is  my last  post, so it's safe to resume sex with my wife? No worries in your expert opinion of giving her a STI? Thank you for all you do
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
13 months ago
Correct, entirely safe. If somehow I had been in your situation, I never would have stopped having unprotected sex with my wife, with no worries about infecting her with any STI. You certainly can resume now.

As you anticipated, that concludes this thread. Please note the forum policy about repeated questions. This will have to be your last about this exposure and your STI/HIV concerns from it.

I hope the two discussions have been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.
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