Background: I went to a massage parlor. The girl and I were both clothes on. I worn an underwear and a thin pants. The girl worn a yoga shorts, and I don’t know if she worn underwear inside her yoga shorts. So there are at least 3 layers of thin clothes between the girl and me. We never took clothes off.

Behavior: The girl was on the top of my penis and rubbing my penis for like 5 minutes, and I ejaculated. (Wearing 3 layers of thin clothes all the time) I didn’t notice my underwear was wet.

Testing: I took 4th gen test 38 days after. Negative. The testing instrument was Sysmex HISCL 5000.

My worries:

1. What’s the difference between my behavior and unprotected sex? If the girl’s fluid go through our clothes and contact my urethra, my risk of HIV still 0, why? Why not same like unprotected sex?

2. How likely the girl’s fluid can pass through 3 thin clothes? I didn’t notice my underwear was wet at that moment, but not 100% sure.

3. Can my test be conclusive? Do I need to test more? I know you changed testing guidelines to 6 weeks. Is that because you saw someone 38days negative and 42days positive? Unfortunately I tested 4 days earlier than 6 weeks.

Thank you

You were at no risk for HIV or any other STI from the events described. No STI bacteria or virus can be transmitted through clothing. Without direct penile penetration into a partner's vagina, rectum or mouth, there is never any STI risk from any kind of massage. You did not need testing for HIV or any other STI. To your specific questions:

1) The STI bacteria and viruses evolved to require sex itself for transmission. (They're called "sexually transmitted" for good reason!) Large numbers of them must have contact with particular cells, which generally are deep inside the body, for infection to take hold. When an HIV infected male ejaculates semen loaded with the virus into a woman's vagina, the chance she will become infected is around one in a thousand. It's difficult virus to transmit!

2) No chance. Fabric fibers filter out virus sufficiently that not enough can get to those susceptible cells to initiate infection.

3) The HIV AgAb (4th generation) tests are around 98-99% conclusive after 4 weeks, and this probably is about the same at 38 days. Another test at 6 weeks will make it 100%. We changed our advice from 4 to 6 weeks back in 2017. Nothing we observed in our own patients -- it's just that updated scientific data became available.

Please don't worry. You were not at risk for HIV and do not have it. All is well! I hope these comments are helpful.

HHH, MD

Thanks for your reply. I’m actually relieved after my 38 days 4th gen test. However, I heard my brother had intercourse with a transgender gay who was tested positive on HIV. This case made me thinking that the chance we meet a HIV positive is not so low. They are many and around me. My brother’s story made me uncomfortable. 

So I started thinking about my behavior. 

1. What if the massage girl’s fluid pass through our clothes and contact my urethra? Will that increase my risk or still 0 risk? Could you please explain why is that?

2. As you said 38 days is not conclusive, do I need to test one more? Will I turn positive?

Thank you 

That something rare happened to your brother does not increase the chance it would happen to you. That's irrational thinking.

2. I have told you how conclusive your negative result is. It's up to you to decide if you want another test after it reaches 100% reliability.

Thanks I tested again and it’s negative. However, bad things happened again. When I was at HIV lab for testing, there is a guy next to me nosebleeds. I never touched his blood. He dropped his blood on a table, and I stared at his blood on that table for a while. The distance between his blood and my eyes is around 50cm. From the conversation that guy talked with doctor, I knew his was HIV+.

So,

1. Can blood evaporate? I mean his blood becomes gas aerosol, and go into my eyes.

2. If blood can evaporate, will the bacteria inside blood become gas too? Or only water of blood become gas, bacteria stay inside clotted blood? Please let me know this biology knowledge. It’s very important to make me comfortable.

3. Can I be infected by starring at his blood without spilling or anything else.

That concludes this thread. Do not ask a new question about this event:  thank you. Best wishes.