Aa
Any virus infection risk?
Hi, yesterday I went to a testing center and got Rapid Tests for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Syphilis. I live in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I had been to this place before and I know it is a reliable place to be tested.
When the nurse was drawing my blood we both noticed some dry "blood" inside an area of the recipient with cotton balls (the cotton balls in contact with this blood were stained with it). The nurse told me he was sure he did not use cotton with blood neither before nor after pricking my skin but I know he only noticed that blood when he picked some cotton to stop bleeding after venopuncture.
So I guees two things could have happened: blood on cotton plus alcohol 70% could have some sort of virus and by inserting the needle right after such viruses would've got into my blood stream OR after getting the needle off me some virus on the cotton ball used to stop bleeding would enter my blood stream through the hole left by the needle.
I do mot worry much about HIV but I worry about Hepatits C since I am vaccinated for Hepatitis B.
Am I at any risk so that I will have to be followed regarding Hepatits C or HIV infection?
Thank you and excuse me if my English has not helped...
When the nurse was drawing my blood we both noticed some dry "blood" inside an area of the recipient with cotton balls (the cotton balls in contact with this blood were stained with it). The nurse told me he was sure he did not use cotton with blood neither before nor after pricking my skin but I know he only noticed that blood when he picked some cotton to stop bleeding after venopuncture.
So I guees two things could have happened: blood on cotton plus alcohol 70% could have some sort of virus and by inserting the needle right after such viruses would've got into my blood stream OR after getting the needle off me some virus on the cotton ball used to stop bleeding would enter my blood stream through the hole left by the needle.
I do mot worry much about HIV but I worry about Hepatits C since I am vaccinated for Hepatitis B.
Am I at any risk so that I will have to be followed regarding Hepatits C or HIV infection?
Thank you and excuse me if my English has not helped...
Thank you so much! Happy holidays for you and your family too!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question. Your English seems to be fine.
Nobody ever caught HIV or other blood-borne viruses from mistakes in how blood was drawn -- except maybe 20+ years ago, when some clinics re-used the same needles. There is no chance of virus transmission, even if a patient before you had HIV, HCV, HBV, or syphilis -- even if such a person's wet blood was on the cotton.
So no risk at all and no need for testing or for any kind of medical follow-up. Just forget it and don't worry.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes and happy holidays-- HHH, MD
Nobody ever caught HIV or other blood-borne viruses from mistakes in how blood was drawn -- except maybe 20+ years ago, when some clinics re-used the same needles. There is no chance of virus transmission, even if a patient before you had HIV, HCV, HBV, or syphilis -- even if such a person's wet blood was on the cotton.
So no risk at all and no need for testing or for any kind of medical follow-up. Just forget it and don't worry.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes and happy holidays-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the HIV - Prevention Forum
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
