Big mistake

[veryworried525252]

Hi Dr,

I did a very big mistake while I was traveling in Thailand.

I went to a massage parlor and the lady mastubated me and insert a finger deeply in my anus. I very worried about the fact she entered her finger into my anus.

1) any chance of getting hiv from being fingered in the anus by a prostitute
2) I'm worried by the fact shat she might have cuts on her finger or fingered a infected client before me and she might had some virus on her hand from this client
3) should I get tested and when?
4) should I start PEP

I'm very anxious and I want to have unprotected sex with my wife but I'm worried to transmit her the virus in case I was infected. Please help me dr, I hope I didn't do the biggest mistake of my life

Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You can make all the "if this, if that, if something else" assumptions you like.  It's a waste of your time and emotional energy.  If those things happened, I suppose you could catch HIV.  There, does that make you feel better?

On the other hand, if NOBODY has EVER caught HIV by fingering, do you really think it's realistic to fear you will be the first?  You came here for reassurance and I have tried to give it. Accept it or not, I don't care, but I don't have time for irrational speculation.  This thread is over.

[veryworried5252]

Thanks so much Doctor

Last question and I won't bother you anymore:

- If she had semen on her finger from a previous infected clients (or from her) and I have a lot of (bloody) hemoroides, your answers stay the same?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The simple explanation is that HIV is never transmitted because "just one virus" gets into the body.  It takes lots of virus exposed to particularly susceptible cells and there is simply no realistic risk of transmission in the situation described.  Even in the highest risk sexaul transmission scenario -- deposition of semen in a partner's rectum -- only 1 in 200 exposed persons catches it.

But the biological reasons really aren't so important, it seems to me.  The fact is that no cases of new HIV infection have ever been reported in persons whose only exposure was through fingering or hand-genital contact.  And as I said, it is statistically unlikely your masseuse had HIV anyway.  So just don't worry about it.

[veryworried525252]

Thanks Dr.

Just some quick questions:

Why this situation is safe? If she has cuts and I have hemmoroides, the is a way for the virus no? I'm not challenging your answer, jut trying to understand.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

No worries here.  There is no risk at all for STDs or HIV from fingering, hand-genital contact, etc.  In addition, although HIV was once very common in Thai sex workers, that is no longer the case; Thailand has seen the benefits of perhaps the world's best nationwide HIV prevention campaign and HIV is now quite uncommon in Thai sex workers.

1) No chance; don't worry about it.

2) It wouldn't matter if there were cuts etc on her fingers.  Still no risk,

3) Assuming this is your only potential risk for HIV or STDs, there is no need for testing

4) And for sure you should not seek PEP.  I doubt you could find any doctor or clinic willing to prescribe it in this situation.

And by the way, although you don't ask it, many in your situation do:  it is entirely safe to have unprotected sex with your regular partner, if you have one.

Best wishes and safe travels--  HHH, MD

[veryworried525252]

I forgot to mention, I have a lot of hemmoroides