Reflexology Visit

Hello Doctor,

Yesterday i went to visit a reflexologist for neurogenic leg pain treatment.  He asked for my medical history, then took my weight, height, blood pressure.  Finally, he pulled out a long lancet which looked like a high lighter and said he was going to test my blood sugar.  At this i told him i did not want to be poked by a lancet.  He assured me that a new lancet needle will be used.  He then took off the cap threw out the old needle and inserted a new lancet needle and closed the CAP.  He then poked my finger next to my pinky which drew blood which he smeared on a strip and placed into what looked like a stop watch and tested my blood sugar.

This has left me very worried.  I can say that the lancet for sure was not used for 15 mins before i got poked because i was only person in the office 15 mins prior to getting a lancet testing.  I am not sure how lancets work exactly and i have read information by Health Canada which requests people that multi use lancets are not to be shared but only to be used by a single person for multiple testings.

My questions are:

1.  Is the information from Health Canada because of people getting HIV from this type of behaviour of sharing lancets?
2.  Does it even matter that the lancet needle was replaced with a new lancet?
3.  Could blood have been left inside the actual lancet device which would have touched the new lancet needle and then i could have been poked and infected?

Thanks.

[LIZZIE LOU]

IRRATIONAL THINKING...NO DOCTOR IS GOING TO POKE YOU WITH A USED LANCET.

[kumar007]

he threw away the old one and replaced it with a new one..you had no risk from this situation..no need to worry

[jacksonstrom]

Dr. Lizzie Lou,

I think you have misunderstood my question.  He was not a MD but reflexologist in alternative medicine.  So this is a private practice which is not supported by Healh Canada in any way.

The needle he used inside the lancet was new but the actual lancet device was re-used since it was a multi use lancet.  Since i am not familiar with exactly how these devices work.  My question is can the device have blood left on inside which can touch the new needle which i was poked with?

Much appreciate your response.

[Teak]

NO.

[LIZZIE LOU]

you had NO RISK