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AIDS/Skin damage by rubbing HELP

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Expert: Terry B - 12/18/2007


Question
Dear Terry,

I had some massages last year and now I'm very afraid for HIV. It concerned body to body massages. The Girls usually shaved ( vagina). Question is: My body was sometimes red from the rubbing and I had some pimples on my back. If these pimples got damaged ( maybe bleeding) or if I got scratches on my back and neck, is there a risk for hiv in case some vaginal fluid comes in contact with those pimples during the massage?

I appreciate an answer very much. Need to know if I need testing.  

Answer
Dear Jos:

Peace.  

The relative risk to you of contracting HIV through a pimple that was exposed to vaginal secretions from a person whose HIV status you did not know is very, very small. Please read through this forum and recent discussions of what constitutes "intact skin" for greater detail.

Because your risk is so small, I would not recommend testing to determine HIV status unless this is not your only potential exposure to HIV or other Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections.  On the other hand, meeting with an HIV testing counselor might provide you with laboratory confirmation that you are not infected, and help you access resources for deeper understanding of HIV and how to protect your health and that of your loved ones.

The best to you and yours,

Terry

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Terry B

Expertise

Help in assessing personal and professional risk of HIV transmission; tips in teaching about HIV/AIDS; cultural competency for teaching about HIV/AIDS in Catholic settings; considerations in US and overseas HIV/AIDS programs and education for health and other professionals. Specific questions about treatment should be referred to your health provider; opinions and information offered are not meant to replace medical advice

Experience

Seven years with academic medical center and national AIDS education and training center, seven subsequent years with focus on international HIV/AIDS in East and South Africa. Former clinician, bioethics preceptor at an academic medical center and presenter in wide range of fora including international AIDS conference.

Organizations
Disabled American Veterans American Public Health Association MENSA AA

Publications
Human Variety, EC Sociological Society Proceedings of the International AIDS Conference, Durban, South Africa "HIV and Primary Care"

Education/Credentials
BS Psychology MPH Master of Public Health PhD studies underway

Awards and Honors
Naval School of Health Sciences, Hospital Corps with Highest Honors, Neuropsychiatry with Honors and High Distinction

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