Massage - risk of STDs?

[awfulmistake]

Dear Drs,

Many thanks for your generous help and service on this forum.

I am a married male who recently did something incredibly stupid. While on business in Europe (Germany) I visited a massage parlour but in retrospect was almost certainly a brothel as within minutes I was asked what extras I wanted (including all the way). Instead of leaving I agreed to continue the massage (by a Japanese lady) but declined anything further. After being asked several times I eventually said I would watch her touch herself. She took off her underwear, lubricated herself, produced a sex toy and handed it to me. I said I didn't want to touch at all and handed it back to her, masturbated myself for a minute or so, then stopped and left when I came to my senses. She didn't touch any part of my genitals directly.

I am incredibly concerned about having caught something I could transmit to my partner. I've read everything on the HIV forum and appreciate I'm at no risk of this or that bacteria can't be transmitted this way. Given that she touched herself before handing me the dildo and that when she took it back off me our hands touched and then I used the same hand on myself I am certain there is a possibility I got some of her secretions on my hand (on one finger of which I had a small cut) before touching myself. I can't remember if there was anything wet feeling.

I've read it's possible to get things like HPV and HSV this way. Is there any way I could have got this from transmitting her secretions onto myself, or through my finger cut. Would I be able to have passed anything onto my wife (we haven't had sex since but I've masturbated her, and realise the cut was still there a few days later).

I'm so worried about the possibility of having gotten something I coud pass on. What should I get tested for and when? Is it possible to see if I could have gotten HSV or HPV this way soon? (Of course I'll keep avoiding intercourse until a get a full screen)

I really appreciate your help.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  Your question is a good reminder that many people believe that infectious diseases, including STDs (this includes HIV) are highly infectio9us can  be transmitted very easily.   In fact, most people are remarkable resistant to acquisition of infection and transmission of infection is a relatively rare event.  Here are the facts:

1. Most people, even commercial sex workers do not have STDs.
2. STDs are transmitted by direct contact, not on inanimate objects except in VERY unusual circumstances or through intermediate activities like the transfer of a person's genital secretions to their hands and on to another person.
3. Even most direct contacts with infected persons do not lead to transmission of infection.  
4.  The presence of abrasions and cuts does not increase risk for most infections.  Such wounds start to heal almost immediately and at that time resistance to infection is restored.

Your risk of having gotten any STD from the activities you describe (I will not call it an exposure, it was not) are virtually zero. There is no reason for concern, no reason for testing and no reason to abstain from sex with your wife.  I hope you find these comments reassuring.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Einstein said that one defintion of insanity is to ask the same question again and again and expect the answer to change.  Your guilt and resulting anxiety are the issue here.  You had a no risk activity and negative tests.  Thinking that any of these will change by repeating your question, more testing or more treatment is silly.  If you ask the same question again it will be delted without comment.  

This ends this thread.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I would point out Dr. Handsfield's use of the word "theoretical" in his reply.  I would not worry. EWH

[awfulmistake]

Many thanks for your response and clarification on HSV. Very reassuring. Could I ask one last (and final) question based on a recent response by DR. HHH, though I completely understand if you don't answer. It was to do with HPV transmission from hand-genital contact:

"As for HSV one can imagine a theoretical risk of HPV transmission by hand-genital contact, which has been invoked to explain occasional genital HPV infections in technical virgins.  However, if it occurs, it is probably limited to mutual petting/masturbation, i.e. if genital secretions are used as lubricant."

Would that mean that perhaps he would think I was at risk of HPV infection that I could then potentially pass on?

Many thanks.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

it is hard to answer your question out of context.  With respect ot HSV however, the virus is spread through DIRECT contact but it is also thought that the friction of intercourse may make that direct contact more likely to result in transmission.  Perhaps that is what is being referred to. EWH

[awfulmistake]

Dear Dr Hook,

Many thanks for your response and encouraging words - I find them very reassuring and will treat this as a lesson well learnt!

Can I ask why many other sites talk about things like HSV being able to be massged into skin from secretions? I will defer to your expertise (which is why I came here) but it was those kind of readings that have made me worry more?

Thanks indeed.