I’m writing to ask for your expert opinion on an encounter that has caused me serious concern.

On December 13, 2024, during a massage, the therapist wore underwear the entire time. At one point, I briefly inserted a finger into her underwear and touched her outer vulva for a few seconds. There was no penetration or fingering, but I came into contact with a small amount of vaginal fluid.

After withdrawing my finger, I rubbed her vulva over the dry underwear for about 10 seconds, possibly transferring or wiping some fluid onto the fabric. Around 20 seconds later, I may have used the same or opposite hand to masturbate. I had no visible cuts, wounds, or broken skin on my hands or fingers.

1. Was there any risk of HIV or syphilis from touching her vaginal fluids?

2. Does masturbating shortly afterward with possibly contaminated fingers increase the risk?

I tested at 8, 11, and 20 weeks post-incident for HIV (Ag/Ab CMIA) and syphilis (RPR/VDRL). All results were non-reactive.

Do I need any further follow-up? I’d appreciate your guidance. Thank you.

Thanks so much again for your reply — I really appreciate the time, patience, and support you and your team offer here. It truly means a lot.

I feel like I’m finally almost ready to move on from this, but I just wanted to double-check one last detail for my own peace of mind.

During the encounter, the masseuse kept her underwear on the entire time and never took it off, but I did briefly reach inside her underwear and touched her outer vulva directly with my finger for a few seconds. There was no penetration, and I had no cuts or wounds on my hand — just quick, direct contact.

I'm just wondering — and honestly still a bit concerned — does that kind of direct finger-to-vulva contact (with some vaginal fluid on my finger afterward) carry any risk for HIV or syphilis?

Thanks again for everything — your help really goes a long way.

One last follow-up so I can fully move on:

Symptoms: On December 26, 2024, I had a mild fever — exactly two weeks after this particular massage encounter. However, I tested positive for COVID at the time and fully recovered within three days.

Earlier exposure: On May 1, 2024 — over a year ago from today— I had a one-time encounter involving protected vaginal sex (one minute) and unprotected oral sex (also one minute) with sex worker. That was the only experience of that kind in my life. Since then, I’ve tested for HIV (Ag/Ab CMIA or ECLIA) and syphilis (RPR/VDRL) at 3, 9, 10, and 12 months post-exposure. All results were negative.

Can this testing schedule completely rule out HIV and syphilis from the earlier exposure? And also rule out the fever symptom?

I’d appreciate your confirmation that these repeated negative test results prove I’m in the clear and do not have HIV or syphilis.

Thanks so much!