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STDs (Expert Forum)
HPV/Herpes
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Warts, Yeast Infection.All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
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HPV/Herpes
by Robbie11, Jul 27, 2007 12:00AM
Dear Dr. Handsfield,
Over last years I went to thai massages about every 2 weeks. I received massages with happy endings but just handjobs. Seldom (5 exposures over last 4 years) I also received covered blowjobs (with condom) from prostitutes and fingered them (did not touch myself with same hand afterwards). Last covered blowjob was 2 weeks ago, last massage 2 days ago. 2 days ago I discovered a small red pimple (2 mm cross section, could be just a "normal spot") on the shaft of my penis. With fussy further examinations I also discovered 2 tiny (even slightly less than 1 mm!) spots with mormal skin color nearby the pimple. Also I have tiny hard blisters on the sides of some of my fingers only in summer. My doctor told me it is a dishydrotic eczema and not to worry about it.
Here my questions:
1) Could HPV or HSV have been transmitted by the numerous handjobs (hand-genital) or are it absolutely necessarily different types of warts (hands versus genitals)?
2) Is there any chance the blowjobs could have contracted HPV or HSV because the penis perhaps wasn`t fully covered (I do not remember exactly)?
3) Could HPV/warts be contracted to my fingers by fingering (could my blisters on the fingersides in fact be "genital" warts?
4) Do you recommend any testings or examinations?
5) Can I safely have sex with my long time girlfriend?
6) Should I just drop this whole thing?
Thank you in advance and best regards,
Robbie
Over last years I went to thai massages about every 2 weeks. I received massages with happy endings but just handjobs. Seldom (5 exposures over last 4 years) I also received covered blowjobs (with condom) from prostitutes and fingered them (did not touch myself with same hand afterwards). Last covered blowjob was 2 weeks ago, last massage 2 days ago. 2 days ago I discovered a small red pimple (2 mm cross section, could be just a "normal spot") on the shaft of my penis. With fussy further examinations I also discovered 2 tiny (even slightly less than 1 mm!) spots with mormal skin color nearby the pimple. Also I have tiny hard blisters on the sides of some of my fingers only in summer. My doctor told me it is a dishydrotic eczema and not to worry about it.
Here my questions:
1) Could HPV or HSV have been transmitted by the numerous handjobs (hand-genital) or are it absolutely necessarily different types of warts (hands versus genitals)?
2) Is there any chance the blowjobs could have contracted HPV or HSV because the penis perhaps wasn`t fully covered (I do not remember exactly)?
3) Could HPV/warts be contracted to my fingers by fingering (could my blisters on the fingersides in fact be "genital" warts?
4) Do you recommend any testings or examinations?
5) Can I safely have sex with my long time girlfriend?
6) Should I just drop this whole thing?
Thank you in advance and best regards,
Robbie
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jul 27, 2007 12:00AM
, Jul 27, 2007 12:00AM
First response after the first 2 sentences. You could not have acquired any STD from the exposures you describe. No matter what symptoms you have, and whether or not you have genital warts or herpes, you didn't get them from the massage experiences you describe.
Now going on to read the rest...
Your symptoms don't suggest any STD, and a provider has said you don't have an STD. Thus, you don't have an STD. No online doc can improve on the diagnosis from direct examinatin. Most of your questions are irrelevant, since you do not have HPV or herpes. The direct answers to your questions are:
1,2,3) HPV and HSV are not transmitted by hand-genital contact or through condoms. Common hand warts (due mostly to HPV type 1) are almost never found on the genitals. Oral sex doesn't transmit HPV, even without protection. Your doctor already told you that your hand problem is not due to warts or herpes. 4,5) You don't need testing and can safely have sex with your girlfriend. 6) You definitely should drop the whole thing. You are irrationally overreacting. But since you clearly can't handle the stress, I suggest you stop going to massage parlors, or at least stop allowing sexual contact while there.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Now going on to read the rest...
Your symptoms don't suggest any STD, and a provider has said you don't have an STD. Thus, you don't have an STD. No online doc can improve on the diagnosis from direct examinatin. Most of your questions are irrelevant, since you do not have HPV or herpes. The direct answers to your questions are:
1,2,3) HPV and HSV are not transmitted by hand-genital contact or through condoms. Common hand warts (due mostly to HPV type 1) are almost never found on the genitals. Oral sex doesn't transmit HPV, even without protection. Your doctor already told you that your hand problem is not due to warts or herpes. 4,5) You don't need testing and can safely have sex with your girlfriend. 6) You definitely should drop the whole thing. You are irrationally overreacting. But since you clearly can't handle the stress, I suggest you stop going to massage parlors, or at least stop allowing sexual contact while there.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Also, I thought HPV can be transmitted via oral sex, although you say unprotected oral sex does not transmit HPV. I'm a bit concerned about the advice you give, especially since you basically told him to go ahead and have sex with his g/f.
Why do sites state that it's possible to catch HPV and Herpes via handjobs?
Otherwise, yes, it's possible to get HPV orally from giving oral to someone with genital HPV. However, think about it. HPV is virtually ubiquitous and almost everyone has oral sex, but how many people have you seen walking around with oral warts? And oral cancer is really rare. It's just not worth worrying about as far as I'm concerned.
As for handjobs, I could be wrong, but I don't think Dr. Handsfield has ever said HPV from a handjob was even remotely likely.
Whether it's HIV or other STDs, many websites have a "take no chances" (or from a legal perspective, CYA) attitude. If there is theoretical risk it is listed. I base my advice on known facts, not far out speculation. In 30+ years in an STD clinic, I have never seen (or even heard by rumor) of a case of HSV acquired by handjob.
Threadjump; no ongoing discussion.
However, I have read a new study that suggests this does transmit the virus –– and causes mouth cancers, (which are steady despite declines in smoking). So, are you referring to a certain kind of oral sex? Maybe this page needs updating.
Also, in another article you said that there's open debate on whether to inform your partner about HPV. Is this sound medical science? or is it a way of rectifying a permissive culture of immorality with the pure logic of epidemiology? I have a "friend" who's girlfriend (virgin) knew she got HPV from this guy, even though he was asymptomatic and never had warts. She never forgave him and he, not willing to forgoe sex for the rest of his life, has given it to subsequent partners; at least one of whom now has to get pap smears every 6 months. To analogize, I guess what I am saying is that if you know you are drunk you might still be able to drive safely, but the odds are against you so it's best to be upfront and tell your friend you are not safe to drive.
P.S.- That friend later found out that another gal he dated, around the same time as the aformentioned transmission, has subsequently died of complications stemming from cervical cancer. The only thing saving that friend from a life of guilt is the fact that he's not sure who gave it to who.