Aa
help me please
I cut my foot really deeply on a rusty nail and had to go to the ER to get a tetanus shot because mine wasn't up to date. The cut didn't require stitches but it was very deep and bled a lot. The next day I took of the gauze bandage from the ER because it was annoying me and wore flip-flops so I wouldn't irritate the cut. Of course, this happens to me, almost unbelievably. I live in New York City and was walking to the subway when I saw a man holding his bloodied arm to his chest and walking very quickly. I am a nurse and felt obligated to help him. I walked up to him and asked him what happened. While explaining his story, he held out his arm to me so I could assess his wound and his blood dripped DIRECTLY onto my wound on my foot. I don't mean on the area- I mean RIGHT on my open cut. My cut wasn't bleeding then if I recall but I freaked out... I directed the man to the hospital where I work and gave him my sweater to keep on his hand as his laceration was really very deep and bleeding heavily. I then ran to the nearest restaurant to wash off my foot with soap and water. I am a nurse and know the risks of bloodborne pathogens and I am extremely concerned because quite a large amount of blood got on my cut. Does anyone have any recommendations as to what I should do?? I am a level headed person normally but right now I am panicking!!!
I have not heard this before. So the 2 seconds his blood was outside his body from when it dripped from his hand to the cut on my foot was enough to classify this as "outside the living host?" I really should not worry about this?
HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions, therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.
Teak, I was expecting at least a "low-risk" exposure and to try to not worry too much until I can be tested. Why do you believe this wasn't a risk as my cut was very deep and open? Thanks for your insight.
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