eye exposure and HIV

[hardworkpays]

Hello everyone !
I'm a student.  I was helping in a hospital setting. A nurse was removing an IV catheter from a HIV+ patient who had also tuberculosis. I was watching. The IV catheter was outside the vein because the normal saline solution was spreading under the skin. While she was removing it, I received a tiny drop of saline solution mixed with blood in the eye. I didn't see blood inside the IV catheter removed. But there was blood on its top.I didn't wash it quickly. My mistake. After 30 or 45 mns, when I knew that the patient was HIV+, I was really scared. I went to the ER where I received medications for PEP. Do you think that the risk is significative? Is the PEP justified? And my last question, can I have a peaceful mind after my 28 days of tritherapy?

[Teak]

You didn't have an HIV exposure.

[Teak]

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[hardworkpays]

I have a new question. I'd be glad to have your advice once again. While I was on PEP, on day 10, I was pricked by a needle. I was doing a suture. I continued the PEP until day 28. Should I extend the PEP because of that needle prick if the patient was positive? Thank you !

[Teak]

Move along

[Teak]

Move along with your incorrect information.

[hardworkpays]

I'm grateful for your answer. It will help me to calm down.
Have a good day !

[nursegirl6572]

While a blood splash to the eye is a theoretical risk, yours wasn't.  In order for their to be a risk, a person would have to have been splashed with copious amount of blood, not a drop or two.

You certainly didn't need nPEP, but that was up to you and your doctor to decide.  When it comes to occupational exposures, most facilities definitely tend to be overly conservative in their recommendations/actions.

You have nothing at all to worry about.

[hardworkpays]

Thank you for your precision ! I thought that I've read it for both.

[Teak]

There hasn't been anyone infect with HIV by blood in eyes. HCV yes.

[Drnema]

How about who works in hospitals?

[hardworkpays]

Thank you for your answer !

[palash]

blood not splashed directly on your eyes. and its mixed with water. why you not understand? you had no exposure.

[hardworkpays]

I understand that and I agree but how can we understand the cases where health care professionals have been infected by blood splashes in the eyes?

[palash]

HIV can not infect in open air and can not live with out its host. so when it come in out side, it lost its infection power.

[Teak]

Once HIV is outside it's host in becomes non infectious.

[hardworkpays]

Hello ! Thank you for your answer. I agree that this is not the main way of transmission of the virus. But what scares me is that I've also read that HIV can be transmitted throught mucuous membranes like the eyes, mouth and nose. I worry because contaminated blood mixed with the normal saline solution that come from the patient got into my eyes. Maybe I'm too much bothered by that incident, but I'd like to know. Really !

[palash]

you are a medical student. so you should know it.  HIV can not transmit this way. it is fully a fool thinking. move on!

[hardworkpays]

Thank you for your answer ! But I'd like to know why do you say I didn't have an HIV exposure. Because I think that the drop of normal saline I received in the eye was mixed with blood, even if I didn't see it.
Thank you !