[Question #9254] MPX Massage

34 months ago

Dr H's, I am writing on a similar event in relation to monkeypox as was described in someone else's question #8987. Admittedly my anxiety is running high here. I went to a massage parlour with happy ending. The difference in my case is that I had the "therapist" wear nitrile gloves for the entirety of the massage. I did not see any lesions on here hands or arms and she wore a medical mask the whole time. In #8987 you estimated a risk probability of 1 in a million or even much lower. 1) As the Monkeypox situation has unfolded further (and I believe cases have declined) do you still believe in that estimate? 2) Given in my situation there were medical grade gloves involved where does that put this on risk spectrum understanding that in science nothing is absolute zero. 3) Would you be concerned at all from this event in regards to monkeypox? I understand that all other STI's are not a concern from masturbation. I really am worked up about this right now and appreciate your responses. Also, thanks for everything you do here as a service!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

34 months ago

Welcome back to the forum. Thank you for your continuing confidence in our services.

I am unaware of any reports of MPX being acquired or transmitted by massage, including sexual massage (i.e. the sort that might include a "happy ending" by masturbation or oral sex). That doesn't mean it can't happen, but the vast majority of cases occur during direct sexual activity between men. My previous guess of under one in a million chance was just that, a guess, and not meant to be taken literally -- just that the chance is very low. There also are no data on risk with or without protections like gloving, but common sense says it lowers the risk greatly (from wherever it would have been without gloves), probably to zero or close to it.

Those comments answer all three of your questions. You are at little or no risk; and if somehow I were in your situation, personally I would not be concerned at all. Of course if you get symptoms -- otherwise unexplained lesions that suggest MPX, on any part of the body that was contacted during the massage -- of course you should get checked professionally. (You can google "monkeypox images" or similar terms to see photos of the sorts of things you should be looking for.) If nothing shows up within 10 days after the massage, you can safely assume you were not infected. In the meantime, I see no rationale for the amount of worry you display. The chance you have it is near zero.

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

HHH, MD

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34 months ago

Thank you Dr Handsfield for the quick response. A few follow ups: 1) When you said you haven't heard of any MPX transmission from massage was that CDC US only or is that the current state of the world through CDC & WHO? 2) I live near one of the largest cities in the US. Of the roughly 1,200 confirmed cases only 16 are female. Would that suggest a female massage therapist posses a far less risk (if any at all) than a male? 3) Can this fall under the "a meteor can fall from the sky and hit me" analogy I have read on this site before? Thanks!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

34 months ago

I have seen no reports world wide, from WHO, CDC, or any country's public health system. And I have not heard of any female massge therapists having MPX. I suppose the meteorite strike analogy is appropriate.---