Worried

[Stupidman0401]

Dear moderators,

Last week, I went to a massage parlor.  I got a shower with the massage therapist, then a full body oil massage, and a hand job.  There was no penetrative action at any point - no vaginal, no anal, no bj.  During the HJ, I rubbed the top of her clit with 2 fingers.   I did not penetrate her vagina.

Afterwards, while walking out,  I noticed a red spot under the fingernail of one if the fingers i had used.  This was from torn skin below my nail from the previous evening.

I am scared.

1.  Am I at risk of contracting HIV
2.  Should I get tested
3.  I am married, can I have normal relations with my wife?

Thanks!

[jkinatl2]

Dear moderators,

Last week, I went to a massage parlor.  I got a shower with the massage therapist, then a full body oil massage, and a hand job.  There was no penetrative action at any point - no vaginal, no anal, no bj.  During the HJ, I rubbed the top of her clit with 2 fingers.   I did not penetrate her vagina.

Afterwards, while walking out,  I noticed a red spot under the fingernail of one if the fingers i had used.  This was from torn skin below my nail from the previous evening.

I am scared.

1.  Am I at risk of contracting HIV
2.  Should I get tested
3.  I am married, can I have normal relations with my wife?

Thanks!

You were never at any risk of contracting HIV or any STD from the situation that you described.

I urge you to read the LESSONS on this site - especially the lessons on transmission

http://www.poz.com/archive/2008_Mar_2168.shtml

that's the link. I hope you utilize that.

[Stupidman0401]

Dear jkinatl2,  thanks that is reassuring.  What worried me from the lesson is the first statement

HIV enters the body through open cuts, sores or breaks in the skin; through mucous membranes, such as those inside the anus or vagina; or through direct injection. There are several ways by which this can happen:

Thanks

[jkinatl2]

Yes, there are several ways (not healthcare related)

Anal sex without a condom

Vaginal sex without a condom

That, and sharing needles when using IV drugs are the only concerns to anyone outside the healthcare field.

I really did and do consider your situation. You had categorically no risk. None.

[Stupidman0401]

Thanks for the reassurance.  The first sentence  pertains only to these three ways then and not to cuts on other parts of the body like fingers, face, etc..?

This kind of an encounter is of concern to the HIV uneducated lot like myself. Hence the questions...

You guys are doing a great job. I appreciate it very much! Is there anything that I can do to help?

[Ann]

Stupid,

The area in a woman's genitals where hiv can be found is deep inside the vagina, in the thick mucus that covers and protects the cervix.

The fluids that a woman produces when sexually excited come from two glands on either side of the vaginal opening and I've never found a shred of evidence that this fluid is any more infectious than saliva,sweat or tears - fluids which are NOT infectious.

Also, hiv can only infect a very few, very specific types of cells and these cells are not found on the surface of the skin nor in small superficial cuts.

You had absolutely no risk for hiv infection when you got a handjob and tickled a clit. None whatsoever. So relax and move on with your life/wife.

Ann