[Question #8982] monkey pox and massage?

37 months ago

Hi docs. I’m a male in Chicago. What would you say is the risk of getting a full body massage from a woman at a massage parlor is in the midst of this monkey pox outbreak? I’d be masked. (It seems to act much like an STI.)

Thanks, Back To The Anxious

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

37 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your confidence in our services.

At this point in the monkeypox epidemic, there is little if anything to worry about in this situation. So far, the year-long epidemic of monkeypox which started in Europe and more recently has been spreading in the US has been almost entirely in men having sex with men (MSM). That could change, so I wouldn't say that massage in this situation will remain risk free. However, even if or when the epidemic migrates into heterosexual settings, it is likely to remain much more restricted and uncommon, and probably little risk unless there is direct genital-genital or anal-genital contact; I will be surprised if the usual non-sexual massage carries any significant risk. Time will tell. For now, I see no concern at all.

As it happens, just this morning NPR broadcast perhaps the best summary -- the first I'm aware of (in the general media) that accurately describes the monkeypox epidemic as an STI in MSM:

https://www.npr.org/2022/07/10/1110723344/gay-health-centers-respond-to-monkeypox-outbreak

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

HHH, MD

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37 months ago

Okay! So hands seem unlikely to spread it then? Interesting. And very weird. It does appear a few women have gotten it, but the how is unclear. Thanks so much for your insight.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

37 months ago

Thanks for asking this; you're on to an important issue. Even before you asked, I was planning to modify that part of my response. Hand contact probably has transmitted some cases of monkeypox. However, I don't think that makes it "weird" that so far the epidemic is largely limited to MSM and not (yet?) common in women. There are many other factors -- i.e. characteristics of both sexual practices and partner selection -- that are very different in MSM compared with women and straight men, that could explain the observations so far. Studies are underway that should soon begin to give more information about the mechanics of transmission, such as detailed interviews of infected patients about partner selection, sexual practices, etc. Stay tuned. (FYI, Dr. Hook and I are in direct touch with those leading such efforts at CDC and at some research-oriented STD programs.)---
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37 months ago

So, for a layman like myself…would you put the odds of getting monkey pox from a massage parlor at 1 in a 1000? 1 in 10000? Looking forward to further information from you guys and the cdc.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

37 months ago

At this point all I can do is make a wild guess. For the massage situation you describe, I would estimate well under one chance in a million. It should not be a factor in deciding whether or not to have a massage. (This assumes a legitimate massage establishment, i.e. one that isn't a front for sex work and does not offer happy endings etc. That sort of place may have a higher risk but still probably very low, at least for now.)

That completes the two follow-up exchanges included with each question and so ends this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful.

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