[Question #12233] HiV risk

9 months ago

Hi Dr Handsfield

I had a massage with a male masseur recently, mutual touching, mutual masturbation, using hands on penis, he was masturbating me and himself, there was some precum, worried about hiv risk, no oral or penetration involved of any sort, no obvious cuts or bruises on my penis

Please let me know the risks involved

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

9 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your confidence in our services and for your very succinct question.

This was a zero risk exposure in regard to any and all STDs, including HIV. Hand-genital contact -- mutual masturbation -- does not transmit STDs, even if genital fluids are used for lubrication. Not enough bacteria or viruses can be carried over in this manner, and contact with intact skin (of the penis or any other body part) is not risky. The zero risk applies even if there are genital sores etc. You do not need testing for HIV, and if you have a regular partner, you can continue your usual sexual practices without any risk of infecting them.

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

HHH, MD

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9 months ago

Thanks Dr Handsfield for your prompt and reassuring reply

Just another clarification

During the process my glans was exposed as foreskin was pulled back intermittently

Is the risk still zero with glans and also if any unseen irritation exists on glans

Thanks and sorry for the repeat clarification

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

9 months ago

I'm glad you found my reply reassuring. Yes, risk still is zero. As i said, in the 40 years of the world wide HIV/AIDS epidemic, there has never been a case known to have been transmitted by hand-genital contact. There must have billions of times such contact included full retraction of the foreskin; in fact, I would assume that usually happens with such exposure. And still no known cases.

Don't over think this. There is nothing that will come to mind that is likely to change my opinion and advice.

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9 months ago

Thanks again Dr Handfield for your prompt response

I am reassured but have developed cold and blocked nose with done cough 3-5 days post exposure would it be just a normal cold or should i think of testing, now iam day 8 post exposure and if you suggest testing when should I do

Sorry to bother, understand this will be my last question

Thanks for your help again

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

9 months ago

You caught a cold -- or maybe covid or influenza. HIV does not cause blocked, stuffy, or runny nose, and does not cause cough. (The "flu like" symptoms often mentioned for HIV refer only to fever, chills, and body achesso on, not to upper respiratory symptoms or cough.) And 3-5 days is too soon for HIV symptoms, which cannot start sooner than 7-8 days. And of course colds are far more common than HIV symptoms, even in truly exposed persons -- which you were not.

That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. I hope it settled your concerns about this event.

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