Overly Obsessed?

[worriedeaker1]

Hi Doctor, I went to a testing facility for my AB blood test at 13 weeks post exposure. I have been so paranoic about being infected with HIV and have read so much about it. Anyway, the nurse that drew my blood, just before doing it complained about a paper cut on her right hand while she was disinfecting it. I felt a little uneasy. She put on a glove on the right hand (the one with the cut) and no glove on the left. There was no visible blood. What are the chances of getting infected if she touched her wound with the other hand and accidentally had touched the needle before she drew my blood? Am I worrying too much? Thanks for your help.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No risk.  EWH

[worriedeaker1]

Thank you for your answer doctor, I think all of this time of worrying about HIV has got the best of me and now I am being over cautious. So, no risk whatsoever here?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are worrying far too much.  For starters, chances that the nurse had HIV are tiny.  Secondly, she was wearing a glove and passive transfer of a wound to a hand to a needle or another person is unheard of.  In addition, health care professionals are trained not to touch needles.

Bottom line, the scenario you suggest is totally implausible and is not something for you to worry about.  EWH