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Can HIV Spread Through Full Body Massages?

Posted on Fri, 17 May 2024

Question: Hi,

Can HIV spread through full body massages?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your HIV risk is very negligible only.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Not to worry.
Full body massage has no risk for HIV infection.
1. Touching the genitals and anus during massage carries a negligible risk for HIV.
2. Hand job is a safe sexual activity.
3. Prolonged sucking of lactating breast carries 10-15 % risk for HIV infection. Single incident of sucking the lactating breast carries negligible risk, whereas sucking the nonlactating breast has no risk for HIV infection. (https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/estimates/riskbehaviors.html)
With all your activities mentioned by you, I would not prefer PEP for you.
Dr S. Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Saisudha Kotla

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)

Thank you for the response Doctor. I have a follow up question. With your clinical experience and knowledge, have you know any cases where:

1. HIV has spread through full body massages (including genitals)
2. HIV transmission in adults via breast milk?

Thanks

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (12 minutes later)

Also, what is the risk if you have small pimples, scratches or anything like that on the body that is not obvious to us but could pose a risk of HIV transmission during a massage? [There was nothing that was big enough that I could make a note of but there can be some small openings that we are not aware of on our body that could be potential entry point for HIV?]

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your HIV risk is almost 'NIL'

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
In my 34 years of HIV practice, I am yet to see a case of HIV infection acquired through breast milk in an adult, and also not came across from other's experience also.
When the massage activities are restricted to body massage alone including handling of penis and anus during massage, I have not come across a HIV infection, whereas, in many of the parlors they wouldn't restrict their activities only to external body massage alone. So had seen cases of HIV acquired through massage parlors.

Thousands of HIV patients are living with and cared by their family members. Abrasions and minutes cuts are inevitable in any population then and there. Care takers are there in HIV orphan children home for years and they remain free from HIV infection. So one cannot get HIV infection through common scratches cracks and cuts even during caring HIV patients.
so, not to worry.
Regards,
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Saisudha Kotla

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (9 hours later)

Thank you Doctor for the detailed response. Should I be considering a HIV test based on the above scenario?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing wrong in getting tested for HIV

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Even though you don't really need to test as per situation and guidelines and as per theoretical basis, but there is nothing wrong in getting tested. Seeing the negative result for HIV test, will sooth your mind and you can relax freely and go ahead with your routine life. Otherwise, it will linger in your mind and at every untoward feelings in the future, your mind will correlate to the past episode and will make you upset.
Once you developed a doubt, my sincere advice is to get clear with test report than with the words.
Dr S. Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (28 hours later)

Hello Dr. XXXXXXX

I took the In-Home HIV Test Today using Oraquick Swab Test Kit. Product Link: https://oraquick.com/oraquick-in-home-hiv-test/

I read the test as 'Negative' but wanted to run it past you for an accurate interpretation. The timelines below:

Date of Exposure (incident): May 8th, 2023
Date of Test: September 1st, 2023
Total Duration from the incident: 3 Months, 25 Days
No of Test Done: 2 (Two tests done using the same brand, Oraquick with a distance of 2 hours between tests.
Result: Based on the instructions on the kit, both results came out 'Negative'

Can you please see the attachment to let me know how you interpret the results.

Also, need your help with couple of questions.

1. How reliable are the in-home swab test kits with testing at 3 months and 25 days?
2. Are there any further tests needed to make it 100% sure of the 'Negative' outcome?
3. Can I start the regular sexual life with my wife? Is there any protection needed in sexual interaction with wife? if yes, how much longer should I wait.

Thanks you so much for your continued support and working with me thru the difficult phase.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV 1 and 2 infection beyond any doubt.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Your HIV risk is almost "NIL" already.
These tests are highly reliable and conclusive by 12 weeks after the exposure.. You had tested with Oraquick twice after the exposure that too after 3 months. It is very much conclusive and you need no further tests for HIV infection. You are free from HIV infection.
DR S. Murugan

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Saisudha Kotla