When my fiancee broke up with me almost two years ago, I stupidly went to two massage parlours and had sexual happy ending massages because I was upset and trying to get her off my mind. I thought this was a low risk activity and it wasn't possible to get HIV this way - I try to be careful about these sorts of things.

But recently I've been thinking - what if the guy she had seen before me ejaculated on her hand,  and she didn't wash up properly. Could I subsequently get HIV through her touching my penis? I mean the urethra opening is a mucus membrane right? What if some semen contacted my urethra?

I had two HIV blood tests which were negative approximately a month or maybe two after I went to the massage parlours, but I've been worried that perhaps it was too soon afterwards and I need another test? Can you please help me here? I am worried.

Thanks in advance.

Both this and your previous question suggest you have a misunderstanding about HIV transmission. Like many people, you may assume that unlucky contact with "just one virus", or some similar minor exposure, is enough for infection to take hold. It is not. Large amounts of virus must contact certain kinds of cells, which are mostly deep inside the body. When an infected male ejaculates in the vagina of a woman, i.e. internally depositing a giant load of virus, there is only 1 chance in a thousand she will become infected. In other words, sex itself is an inefficient mode of transmission.

For the future, trust me on this: without unprotected sex with an infected partner (meaning your penis inside a partner's vagina or rectum), or direct injection of infected blood, you will never be at risk for HIV.

For those reasons, there has never been a case of HIV transmitted by hand-genital contact. Even if a partner with HIV uses his or her own genital fluids for lubrication, the exposed person never is infected. And certainly the exposure you describe -- leftover semen on a masseuse's hands from a previous client -- cannot possibly have enough virus to transmit to another person. Finally, most blood tests pick up 95% of HIV infection at a month after exposure, so your negative test results also are very reassuring. However, if you would like to have a 100% conclusive result, have another blood test. I hope these comments by themselves stop all worry; but if not, have another blood test.

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

HHH, MD

So you seem to be suggestion that I don't need another test? Would I be irresponsible not to get another?

Thanks for your prompt reply. I am sorry if my concerns seem inflated I suffer from OCD.

That concludes this thread. Do your best to stop worrying; you'll only be at risk for HIV if and when you start having unprotected intercourse with partners potentially at risk. No other sexual activity should be any concern at all. If and when you start having such risks, you're welcome back to the forum.

Best wishes and stay safe.