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Avatar universal

HIV in healing cut

Hello,

I am a Police Officer and recently had contact with an HIV+ individual.  The individual was arrested after a crime during which he sustained a cut on his right hand.  The cut was probably several hours old but some blood seemed to be oozing from it.  While I was searching the man I inadvertantly got an approximately quarter sized (maybe a bit larger) smear of blood on my right forearm.  The smear did not seem to contain alot of blood and didn't run down my arm, but it was still enough to see (and to scare me).  It took about 5 minutes for another officer to come into the jail so I could wash the blood off.  I used soap and water and washed for approximately 30 seconds.  When I rinsed the soap off it may have run accross a two day old scratch on the underside of my wrist.  The scratch was not very deep and I don't remember it ever bleeding.  After washing my arm I looked at the scratch and remember seeing that part of it had a scab but I think part of the scab had already flaked off.

I spoke with my MD about it and he refered me to an infectious diseases Dr (IDD).  The IDD said that they beleived the chance of transmission was very low but suggested PEP, because they thought there was a possibility that HIV could enter through the healing cut.  So now I am on the second day of PEP (Truvada + Kaletra), taking the 1st dose approximatley 50 hrs post exposure.

I guess I'm wondering if my situation is a plausible scenario for transmission.  I have read numerous posts in which people have said that healing cuts are not viable entry points but I am confused why the IDD wanted PEP started if a healing cut is not a viable entry point.  I don't want to play the "what if" game but I also can't help but wonder what the chance of transmission would be if my scratch/cut had only happened a short time before washing the blood off.

Sorry for the long post.  Thank you.
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Avatar universal
Thank you both.  Nursegirl; I have read your journal entry already and it has helped ease my mind.  I think the worst part of an exposure it is not knowing.  

Incidentally, I have not enjoyed the PEP at all.  The side effects are definitely not fun and when my anxiety begins to get the best of me I start thinking that maybe the side effects are actually the onset of HIV.

Thank you again.  Even though your comments have helped me I will still follow this forum.  Best of luck to all.
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
They probably recommended PEP being overly conservative.  There is just no way that the virus could have entered your blood stream, especially with an already healing cut.  Even if your cut had been fresh, there wouldn't have been a risk.  Read my journal entry titled "HIV : The Facts".  Skin is an excellent barrier against disease, especially the HIV virus which is weak to begin with...when outside the body, it is rendered incapable of transmission quite quickly.

It doesn't hurt to go thru your dept's testing protocol, simply for your peace of mind...but you have nothing to worry about, and actually, you are running a higher risk of having serious problems as a result of the PEP...it is VERY toxic, with many side effects.  MANY people cannot even tolerate it.

Follow up with the doc as per your dept exposure policy.  You will be just fine.
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Avatar universal
Air, ph and temp change all inactivates HIV let alone soap and water. Again you were never at risk.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the response.  I was hoping other's would also respond.  I know you guys get sick of these questions.  Could you indulge me and tell me if anyone knows of any confirmed HIV transmissions through non intact skin?  Also wondering what effect the soap and water would have on HIV.  Will either of them inactivate HIV?  Thank you.
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Avatar universal
You were never at risk.
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