[Question #14044] Massage Parlour Syphilis Question
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1 months ago
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Hello again,
I wanted to know if I have been exposed to Syphilis or the situation I have recently been in exposed me to an infection.
I got a massage while me and the masseuse was topless. I noticed that the side of her breast had many brown spots that looked like pimples (not freckles). None of them looked like open sores. Her hands did not show any spots. After the massage, the attendant gave me a brief 5 second hug (Chest to chest) and peck on my chest. Within 30 minutes I had taken a shower and used body wash to clean myself.
My questions are:
1. Can syphilis be transmitted by a 5 second hug (Skin to skin contact)?
2. Did the peck on my chest expose me to syphilis or any other type of STI infection?
3. Should I get tested for Syphilis because of this situation?
4. In your opinion have I been exposed to a STI infection?
Thank you for you help
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
1 months ago
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Welcome back to the forum. Looking at your two previous questions on herpes, and scanning this one, it seems you have mistaken understandings about how STDs are transmitted. They're called "sexually transmitted" for good reason: very few other kinds of contact are risky. The STD bacteria and viruses evolved to require very intimate contact for transmission, and casual or superficial contact almost never is risky. That your partner was topless means nothing: STDs are not transmitted by contact with breasts or nipples.
Your opening comment: Skin rashes never are the source of STD transmission, and in any case "many brown spots that looked like pimples" doesn't raise any concern either. Whether or not she had "spots" on her hands also makes no difference. Hugging doesn't
transmit syphilis or any other STD. To your numbered questions:
1. No, syphilis cannot be transmitted by such contact...
2. ...and not by a superficial kiss.
3. You should not be tested for syphilis or any other STD on account of your recent massage.
4. No, you have not been exposed in any meaningful way.
I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
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1 months ago
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Yes I think I had an issue understanding the sexually transmitted aspect. From what I understand now is that there needs to be oral, vaginal or anal sex in order for syphilis or any other STI transmission to occur. Hand to genital contact does not count in this.
Since I did not have sex with this woman, I should be free from a STI.
These are my last set of questions I am sorry for the ignorance in the matter, your replies have cleared up a lot of my thoughts. Thank you Dr. Handsfield for all that you and the other do.
1. The brown dots/bumps/ spots I saw on her chest area would not be considered secondary syphilis in this situation and they are not contagious?
2. Sources online might be wrong in saying that secondary syphilis rashes are contagious, is it possible for you to clear up this information?
3. The peck on my chest would not be enough to transmit oral herpes, syphilis or other infections?
4. If I only had hand to genital contact in this situation, that means there is no risk for syphilis transmission from this massage incident?
Thank you again
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
1 months ago
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Your opening lines are correct; I'm glad to see you understand you are indeed free of risk for STI.
1,2. No, such brown spots are not typical of secondary syphilis. In theory skin lesions can transmit syphilis, but this applies only to most lesions, which occur moisten in the genital or anal area or the mouth. Dry syphilitic rash is not easily transmitted and certainly not with the sort of contact you had.
3. This is the same as no. 2 in your original question above. The answer is the same: no risk.
4. This is a correct statement.
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1 months ago
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Thank you for your reply! I understand I should be okay overall.
I am just curious, why would a kiss or peck to the chest or other body part not be a concern for spreading oral herpes? How does that type of transmission work?
This is my final post, thank you for your replies and help!
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
1 months ago
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" why would a kiss or peck to the chest or other body part not be a concern for spreading oral herpes? How does that type of transmission work?" HSV2 usually is not all that easy to transmit. It requires that the virus be massaged into the exposed tissues. That's why initial genital herpes usually shows up at sites of maximum friction during sex: the head of the penis, vaginal opening, labia minora, etc. HSV1, the cause of oral herpes, is easier to transmit, but still almost never from just a superficial kiss or other casual contact.
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That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.