Strange experience at the Lab

[wongpei]

During a routine blood draw for a health check up...the nurse who was preparing to draw blood briefly placed the needle on the table and probed my arm in order to find the vein.

I didn't think much of this initially until after my blood was drawn and she placed the same needle on the table where a drop of my blood fell out of the needle and was clearly visible on the white table.I am 100% sure she didn't clean the table between me and the last patient.

This has sent me into a spiral of thoughts thinking that there must be drops of blood spilled on the table in the same manner from patients before me and must have come in contact with my needle when it was placed on the table before my blood was drawn

The time before the last patient and me was about 2 minutes if that provides any helpful information

I have read that the HIV dies within seconds upon exposure to air but there is a lot of conflicting information out there.

The needle used was brand new as I saw her open it in front of me. I am just worried what might have come in contact with the outside or the tip of the needle while it was placed on the table

Its been a week since the incident and the thought of waiting for 3 months for a conclusive result has got me unable to function.

HELPPP!!

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hi,  neither of the two things you mention happen outside the body with blood exposed to air.  Your question has been answered that this is not a risk for HIV.  We wish you the best and are closing this thread.  

***  thread closed ***

[malbat]

Any bodily fluid, once outside the host and gets exposed to air, is NOT infectious. You DID NOT have a risk. You don't need to test. You NEED to move on from this unwarranted fear.

[wongpei]

Thanks Malbat
If blood is not infectious outside the body
How come blood transfusions lead to HIV infections?
How come Healthcare workers get infected by sharps?