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 Being HIV positive does not mean one can not receive physical treatment. On the contrary, massage is particularily good for HIV infected individuals and today there is evidence that infection is not transmitted through touch. There is, however, still a fear of this among many therapists.
To receive massage or any other physical treatment as a HIV positive individual is not self evident. Many therapists do not know how HIV is transmitted and therefore avoid these patients. However, there are also massage therapists who often treat HIV positive persons.
HIV is actually not particularily contageous, however, the serious consequences of an eventual infection means a body therapist should be careful with certain things. HIV can be transmitted if infected blood from a HIV positive person comes into the blood circulation of another person. Other routes of infection are sexual intercourse, during which mucous membranes come in contact with each other, both vaginally as well as orally. Kissing does not transmit infection and obviously not touching or using the same toilet. The HIV virus does not survive in air, being destroyed rather quickly.
Better medicines today
The newer, more effective medicines that have been available since 1996 have a more positive effect against the development of the disease than earlier medications. Today, one does not need to develop the immune deficiency disease AIDS if one goes for regular medical examinations. Those who develop AIDS have in most cases closed their eyes to the possibility of being infected and have waited too long before seeking help.
Today, HIV is viewed as a chronic disease which can be fatal if not treated correctly. As noted, todays medicines are more effective than previously, but also have certain side effects. A common side effect of HIV medications is a reduction or the disappearance of subcutaneous fat in the arms, legs, seat and even the soles of the feet which results in a degree of tenderness upon being touched and even causes difficulties in walking. The person also has difficulties maintaining body warmth. Massage can possibly help these individuals, giving them a whiles feeling of well being which can be soothing.
In some cases, side effects of the medications include nerve pains as well as numbness and loss of sensation in the arms and legs, in which case the therapist should ask the patient what feels good during the treatment. When it comes to treating the feet, the HIV positive person should inform the therapist about being HIV positive since there is a risk of contact with blood in the event of a sore arising during treatment.
Due to the risk of infecting others many HIV positive individuals live in forced isolation and probably are not touched by anyone. In such cases massage can be experienced as something very positive.
Facts about HIV
HIV infection and AIDS are caused by a retrovirus with a rather low degree of contageousness. The HIV virus is incorporated into the body’s DNA and does not heal or go away spontaneously; the infected person is a carrier of the virus for life. Blood, semen and vaginal secretions can thus be infectious for other people over a very long time even if the degree of infectiousness is not particularily large.
Some newly infected individuals get a quickly passing primary infection with fever, a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes and a rash a few weeks after having been infected. Others don’t notice anything at all and it can take several years between the time of infection and the outbreak of the disease.
During the later phase of the disease, symptoms are derived from the other infections acquired due to the immune system’s having been weakened. This condition is called AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). A diagnosis of being HIV positive does not mean one will develop AIDS. The medicines used today rein in the development of the disease and reduce the quantity of virus in the circulation. Without treatment with these medications 50 per cent will develop AIDS within ten years.
 HIV and body work
HIV is transmitted through body fluids such as blood, semen and vaginal secretions. HIV is transmitted only by these means and not by touching, caressing, kissing, shaking hands, massage or exhaled air. To live in the same household as a HIV infected person is not dangerous, nor is having the person as a patient. The only thing which could pose a minimal risk is blood contamination, if both persons have open sores which are rubbed against each other. For the infection to be transferred, it would probably be necessary that at least a small quantity of blood be transferred into the other persons circulation. If the person who is to massage or treat someone who is known to be HIV positive has a sore, it is recommended to use gloves; however, if not, don’t use them.
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