[Question #9526] Risk from this exposure?

31 months ago

I (female) mutually masturbated another male on several occasions. As far as I know, our genitals did not touch. I did grind on his naked penis while I was wearing underwear with a pantyliner. I also rubbed my naked vagina on his boxer shorts area (hip, thigh). His status is unknown. I am concerned that he may have had a sore or lesion that I did not know about.

What are my risks of herpes from potentially my vagina rubbing on a lesion in his boxer shorts area?
What are my risks of any STI from having given him a handjob?
What are my risks of any STI from his having fingered me?
Does transmission by skin-to-skin contact mean that intact skin coming into contact with a lesion can lead to herpes?
Does skin-to-skin solely refer to mucosal membranes?

Should I get tested?

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

31 months ago

What are my risks of herpes from potentially my vagina rubbing on a lesion in his boxer shorts area?

If there is an actual herpes lesion present and you rub your labia over it, there is some limited risk

What are my risks of any STI from having given him a handjob?

Zero

What are my risks of any STI from his having fingered me?

Zero

Does transmission by skin-to-skin contact mean that intact skin coming into contact with a lesion can lead to herpes?

But it has to be certain skin - so your genital area is all thin skin and vulnerable and his penis and anus are the places where he would shed virus (assuming he has no active lesions)

Does skin-to-skin solely refer to mucosal membranes?

Yes, pretty much - see the explanation above.

I don't think that your situation presents any risk at all for herpes transmission.

Terri

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31 months ago

I'm concerned that my vagina may have come into contact with a lesion, since they can occur in the boxer shorts area. Would that put me at risk?
If my there was no skin-to-skin contact via mucosal membranes (other than kissing) is there anyway I could have gotten herpes or any other STI? Why do sources like the CDC say "skin-to-skin" contact when it is really just the mucosal membranes? It is really confusing and alarming.
If I had a cut on my hand and had gotten HSV through that means, would it be obvious?

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

31 months ago

If your vagina comes directly in contact with a lesion, there is some limited risk

I guess the issue comes when very thin skin (which is why they use that word) like the labia, comes into contact with a sore on a hip, like you describe. That's what most people would think of skin to skin I think.

If you had a cut on your hand and came into contact with a penile lesion, for example, it would be possible to acquire herpes whitlow on the hand. yes, it would be obvious

Terri

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31 months ago

1. How often do lesions occur in the boxer short area versus on the genitals?

2. Wouldn’t there need to be some grinding rather than mere contact for herpes to be transmitted? Or would hypothetical contact with a lesion be enough?

3. How realistic is this scenario for transmission of herpes? I’m not sure I’d I’m being cautious or if my anxiety is coming up with these scenarios without any basis in reality.

Thank you again

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

31 months ago

1. Pretty often - buttocks is quite common actually, hip quite a bit less often

2. Grinding would certainly facilitate transmission, absolutely. Just touching a lesion would be less likely for transmission

3. I think you might be over worrying quite a bit here. You don't even know if there was a herpes lesion on his hip, right?

Terri

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