Can you contract HIV during nuru massage? - Medical News Today

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Nuru massage is a Japanese form of sensual massage. Because it does not involve the exchange of bodily fluids, there is a very low likelihood of contracting HIV through this type of massage.


Nuru massage involves the use of a masseuse’s body to massage their client.

There is a very low likelihood of contracting HIV through this practice, as it does not involve the exchange of bodily fluids.

While people do not usually exchange bodily fluids through nuru massage, a person may contract other diseases. For example, individuals can transmit some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through genital skin-to-skin contact.

In this article, we look at what nuru massage is, its disease transmission risk, and more.


Nuru massage is a type of sensual massage originating in Japan. The word “nuru” translates to “slippery,” referring to the masseuse’s technique of using their oiled body to massage a client.

First, a masseuse covers their body in nuru gel, which consists of natural ingredients, such as extracts from seaweed and various botanicals, in a water mixture.

The massage typically takes place on an air mattress or waterproof surface.

The masseuse then uses their body to massage their client. They will use different body-to-body techniques to relax and, in some cases, arouse them.


The risk of contracting HIV during a nuru massage is low.

This is because the virus spreads through a transfer of bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. Because nuru massage does not involve these fluids, the risk of HIV transmission is very low.

People most commonly contract HIV through:

• sex
• sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment
• being stuck with a needle carrying the infection

In very rare cases, a person may contract HIV from deep, open-mouth kissing. However, this can only occur if both partners have bleeding gums or mouth sores and blood from an individual with the infection gets into the bloodstream of their kissing partner.

HIV is not transmissible through sweat, tears, saliva, or sexual activities not involving bodily fluids, such as massage.


While there is little-to-no risk of HIV transmission without an exchange of bodily fluids, people who receive massages may be at risk of contracting other diseases.

Some STIs, such as syphilis, genital herpes, and human papillomavirus, can spread through genital skin-to-skin contact. In cases of sensual massage, such as nuru, where genitals may come into contact with each other, a person may be at risk of these infections.

During other types of massage, the likelihood of transmitting infections is very low.

However, a person may be at risk of developing health complications if they receive a massage while they have certain other conditions, which may include:


The risk of contracting HIV or any other STI reduces significantly when a person uses barrier contraception during sex. Even if an individual does not plan to have penetrative sex, they may still wear a condom during sexual acts to decrease their risk of contracting an STI.

If a person is HIV negative, they can take certain prescription medicines to prevent contracting the virus. These include options such as preexposure prophylaxis.

Additionally, people living with HIV can greatly reduce their chances of transmitting HIV to others by taking antiretroviral therapy to treat the virus.


Nuru is a Japanese form of sensual massage that involves the masseuse using their body to massage a client.

Because there is no transfer of bodily fluids, there is a low risk of contracting HIV during this type of massage.