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Blood Drawn From Lab...Question
Quick question...
I recently went and had some routine bloodwork done at a lab. I don't really like needles, so I looked away while the lab tech was drawing blood. What I noticed though was that the gauze the tech used on my arm where blood was drawn was sitting on the counter next to my seat. From what I could tell, there wasn't any blood or any other fluids on the counter and it appeared clean and dry, but was curious if I'm susceptible to any diseases from this encounter like Hep C, etc.
Thanks.
I recently went and had some routine bloodwork done at a lab. I don't really like needles, so I looked away while the lab tech was drawing blood. What I noticed though was that the gauze the tech used on my arm where blood was drawn was sitting on the counter next to my seat. From what I could tell, there wasn't any blood or any other fluids on the counter and it appeared clean and dry, but was curious if I'm susceptible to any diseases from this encounter like Hep C, etc.
Thanks.
Lesson learned. Make sure gloves are used when blood and needles are involved. Kim
Based on your description, my non medical guess would be you have a lower risk of HCV then being killed by lightning or winning a huge $100 million dollar lottery. The HIV virus only last a few minutes at most when exposed to air
BTW - This is what caused me concern. I pulled this from the CDC's website:
How long does the Hepatitis C virus survive outside the body?
The Hepatitis C virus can survive outside the body at room temperature, on environmental surfaces, for at least 16 hours but no longer than 4 days.
Also, is HIV a risk factor here? Just a little concerned about potential contamination since gloves and the bandage were exposed to a surface near vials of blood. Thanks.
How long does the Hepatitis C virus survive outside the body?
The Hepatitis C virus can survive outside the body at room temperature, on environmental surfaces, for at least 16 hours but no longer than 4 days.
Also, is HIV a risk factor here? Just a little concerned about potential contamination since gloves and the bandage were exposed to a surface near vials of blood. Thanks.
Hi Copyman & Rosebud
Thanks for the feedback. I was gonna say that unfortunately, I don't work in the medic field. Wanted to clarify one minor detail. When I said there wasn't any blood on the counter, I meant there weren't any pools or spills from what I saw. There were however, vials of previously drawn blood nearby, but they were in containers. My phlebotomist is someone I know so she didn't bother wearing gloves either, which sketched me out.
I guess my concern was over reading that hep c could survive outside the body for up 4 days. I asked my doc about this and he said don't worry about it since hep c would be very difficult to get this way and he doesn't see the need for retesting. (To figure though I was actually getting tested for HIV and hep c and other basic blood work during this test). Just wanted to clarify that one point and get your feedback again.
Thanks very much.
Thanks for the feedback. I was gonna say that unfortunately, I don't work in the medic field. Wanted to clarify one minor detail. When I said there wasn't any blood on the counter, I meant there weren't any pools or spills from what I saw. There were however, vials of previously drawn blood nearby, but they were in containers. My phlebotomist is someone I know so she didn't bother wearing gloves either, which sketched me out.
I guess my concern was over reading that hep c could survive outside the body for up 4 days. I asked my doc about this and he said don't worry about it since hep c would be very difficult to get this way and he doesn't see the need for retesting. (To figure though I was actually getting tested for HIV and hep c and other basic blood work during this test). Just wanted to clarify that one point and get your feedback again.
Thanks very much.
Sorry my last post was meant for someone else.
Anyway there is no risk from what you described.
Anyway there is no risk from what you described.
No risk from what you describe.
Hope you don't take this the wrong way....
This is the 2nd question that seems very obsessive for someone that is in the medical field. You should know all the risks and means of transmission for different viruses. Didn't they teach you any of this in school? If you are going to obsess over things like this you may want to seek mental help for obsessive disorder or find a different profession.
Best of luck
Hope you don't take this the wrong way....
This is the 2nd question that seems very obsessive for someone that is in the medical field. You should know all the risks and means of transmission for different viruses. Didn't they teach you any of this in school? If you are going to obsess over things like this you may want to seek mental help for obsessive disorder or find a different profession.
Best of luck
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