[Question #13975] Prolonged skin contact with debris on public surface (automated massage chair)

 
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2 hours ago
Hi Dr, thank you again for your previous guidance. It was very reassuring and helpful.

I apologize for another question, but I would like to ask about a slightly different real-life situation to make sure I am correctly applying your advice. 

2 days ago, I used a public automated massage chair in a shopping mall. During the session (~30 minutes), my lower leg was in continuous and firm contact with the chair surface.

After the session, I noticed a small brownish, soft/sticky/slightly shining debris on my lower leg, approx- 0.5 cm (5 mm) in size. It looked like possible dried(or partially dried) biological material (e.g. skin debris or a small scab, wound from a previous user).

At the time of contact, my skin was intact with no visible cuts or bleeding (only normal hair follicles or very minor skin irritation).

I understand from your previous replies that environmental and indirect contact is considered zero risk. However, I would like to confirm whether this specific situation still falls under the same category?

My questions are:
1. Would contact like this pose any risk for HIV, syphilis, or hepatitis C? Do I need any tests? 
2. Does prolonged contact (~30 minutes) or massage pressure with this debris change the risk in this type of indirect exposure?
3. Would material like scabs or skin/wound debris remain infectious in a real-world environment?
4. Are there any known cases of transmission from similar environmental contact?

Thank you very much for your time and guidance.
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2 hours ago

Just to clarify, my lower leg was under continuous mechanical massage pressure during contact with debris on the automated massage chair that could have been from a previous user, even if that person had an infection.

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1 hours ago
One last clarification : The debris was present during the massage, so contact occurred throughout the entire ~30-minute session under mechanical massage pressure.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
41 minutes ago
*Sigh*

Your previous question ended with this:

Please note the forum policy against repeated questions on the same topic. This is your third about your nonsexual or other zero risk exposures to HIV or other STIs and be your last along these lines. Repetitive questions may be deleted without reply and without refund of the posting fee. The forum sponsor doesn't want repeated payment for questions already answered (or whose answers are obvious from previous discussions) and repeated answers tend to prolong rather than relieve anxiety. In addition, such questions have reduced educational value for other users, one of the forum's goals. Thank you for your understanding.

This is not a significantly "different real life situation."

1. "Would contact like this pose any risk...?" No it would not.
2. "Does prolonged contact...?" No.
3. "Would material like scabs...?" I don't understand this question, but as best I do the answer is no.
4. "Are there any known cases of transmission from similar environmental contact?" No. There are no know cases from environmental contact of any kind.

Forget it. Move on without worry.

HHH, MD
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