Six weeks ago, Feb 20, I went to a massage parlor and got a handjob. We were both naked but there was no anal, vaginal or oral sex. Our genital areas did not touch and there was no other contact with our bodies with each other. After finishing, the lady went out of the room and got a damp cloth to clean my genitals. The wipe to my penis was very brief and there was no rubbing. I have no history of any STI and am not currently showing any symptoms. My questions are:

1. Does this handjob event pose a risk for any type of STI such as HPV?

2. If she used a cloth/towel on herself shortly before me, does used damp towels/wipes transmit any type of STI? I am particularly worried about HPV/ genital warts

3. Does no risk event mean I am not affected at all by any STI that I am exposed to and I am not a carrier?

4. Am I safe to have sex with my partner after this event?

I am anxious, lost and confused about this situation. I appreciate what you all do and thank you for your time.

Some infections are classified as sexually transmitted for good reason: sex itself is required for transmission. That does not include massage, body contact without penetration, kissing, etc. Ifyou have been told otherwise, those sources were just plain wrong. The exposures described where zero risk for any and all STIs.

1. No STIs are transmitted by hand-genital contact. That includes HPV.

2. Towels or other objects do not transmit STI.

3. This question suggests you already predicted my answer. No risk means you cannot possibly have been infected, and therefore you cannot be a carrier and cannot infect anyone else.

4. You can safely continue your usual sexual relationship with your regular partner without putting that person at risk.

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

HHH, MD