Eye splash of blood from hiv/aids pt in Healthcare

[HospitalWorker123]

Hi I was working in the ICU when I disconnected a pt from the ventilator to remove an elbow piece that was connected inline to the patients bloody trach. The elbow piece had blood on it as I removed the elbow a cap on the elbow that had blood on it popped off and a drop of blood hit my right eye. Pt is HIV/AIDS confirmed. I immediately flushed eye and started taking PEP 3 to 4 hours after exposure. Does anyone have an insight. Thanks.

[CurfewX]

Although possible, it's not a very likely way to get HIV, given that only a handful of healthcare workers have ever contracted HIV in a clinical setting.  Additionally, PEP is highly effective in preventing seroconversion.

Presumably, you are working with your hospital's infection control department, who will test at the appropriate time following PEP.  I know it's stressful, but you are extremely unlikely to contract HIV from this event.

[HospitalWorker123]

Thanks for the reply, definitely stressful luckily the pt is hep b and hep c negative. All my baseline tests are negative. I'll have to have a cbc in a couple of weeks to make sure liver enzymes have not risen from the PEP therapy. At 6 weeks I have another HIV test post PEP. I will also have a HIV test 3 months and 6months post exposure.

[CurfewX]

If you live in an area with up-to-date tests available (e.g., US, Canada, Europe, Australia), then you'll be given a 4th or 5th generation test.  There is ZERO medical reason to test for HIV beyond 6 weeks post-PEP.  So, if they're giving you those later tests just for reassurance, you can rest assured that your result will not change.   It sounds like they are taking good care of you regarding prevention and testing.