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Occupational Hiv after veinpuncture
Hi
I m a phlebotomist and i drew blood without gloves from a known hiv positive patient. There was no spillage ( at least none visible) and i am pretty shure that i disinfected my hands while leaving the room, but i have an uncertainty that i might have picked my nose during that day. Now i am worried that i got microscopic amounts of blood trapped under my nails ( they are very short) and might ve mamaged to infect myself.
I m a phlebotomist and i drew blood without gloves from a known hiv positive patient. There was no spillage ( at least none visible) and i am pretty shure that i disinfected my hands while leaving the room, but i have an uncertainty that i might have picked my nose during that day. Now i am worried that i got microscopic amounts of blood trapped under my nails ( they are very short) and might ve mamaged to infect myself.
HIV is instantly inactivated in air so you had no risk. Only adult risks are unprotected insertive vaginal or anal or injecting from shared needles which you didn't do.
Your workplace must have a protocol for things like this though?
Your workplace must have a protocol for things like this though?
2 Comments
They only have a protocol if you sting yourself. Plus it was a surprise for everybody that he was positive. He had told us that he had tested negative ( not mentioning that that was 6 years ago)
I was alarmed because i have a sore throat in summer and now feel very anxious.
I was alarmed because i have a sore throat in summer and now feel very anxious.
sore throats are to be expected from other people you interact with.
My advice assumed he is positive so the fact that he hid it changes nothing. HIV science is 40 years old and very solid by now so no detail that you can add will make your situation a risk.
If you can't relax after this, perhaps you could benefit from therapy.
My advice assumed he is positive so the fact that he hid it changes nothing. HIV science is 40 years old and very solid by now so no detail that you can add will make your situation a risk.
If you can't relax after this, perhaps you could benefit from therapy.
Thank you very much for this advice! It helps alot. I was trying to justify my acute worries so i don t sound like a lunatic for worrying
1 Comments
Fear of disease is natural, but this one has no chance of infecting you so it is time to move on.
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