local freezing done on surgery

[nmavich]

Hi, I recently had carpal tunnel surgery and the doctor used local freezing on my wrist. He wasn't wearing gloves and didn't use an alcohol wipe before he injected the freezing into my hand. If he had dry blood on his fingers and felt my wrist where the puncture site was on my skin, could he push bacteria like a blood borne pathogen, HIV, HEP C into my bloodstream? he then scrubbed up after when he started to perform the surgery.

[Teak]

You aren't comprehending. This is an HIV Prevention Forum not the HCV Forum and we don't entertain HCV questions on this forum other than to say it does not lengthen the HIV testing period.

[nmavich]

i know its an hiv specific but no one is answering me in the hep c forums. a quick answer will do.

[Teak]

This forum is HIV specific.

[nmavich]

i did post in the hep c forum vance and i'm not getting any response.

[Vance2335]

Post in the Hep C forum

[nmavich]

i also forgot too that i scratched my lip with my hand that he touched. if i swallow some particles of blood from my lip would my stomach acids or digestive system kiil the hep c virus?

[nursegirl6572]

i know healthcare professions wear gloves to protect them more than the patients.

Correct.

Again, nothing to worry about.

[nmavich]

thanx nursegirl you got rid of my anxiety. i know healthcare professions wear gloves to protect them more than the patients.

[nursegirl6572]

I'm assuming you're speaking of a numbing agent?  Like Lidocaine?  If so, while the BEST practice would be to use alcohol on the skin surface, it's not the end of the world that he didn't.  The biggest risk you would have would be a localized bacterial infection.  It's certainly not a risk for HIV or any other blood borne pathogens.

Remember too that the needle would be sterile until injected.

You don't have an HIV concern.