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Needle Prick with suture needle used on Hep C patient
during a surgical operation on a patient with Hepatitis C I was passed a needle unprotected. As I reached out to obtain it in a safe manner, the surgeon flinch his hand at me and prick my finger with the needle. the procedure was at the end so I just I squeezed my finger until the procedure was over and when I took off my gloves I did not see any blood but I could see a minute speck of blood where I was pricked, I quickly washed the pricked area with Clorox for 5 minutes. the small of blood disappeared, finger never hurt, and it did not burn. The only thing that happen was a quick sensation when I was pricked. What are my chances of contracting Hep C from a superficial needle stick
Follow Hector's advice and follow the protocol for the exposure (ideally you need to report it right away). Although the risk is not high, there is risk (I was exposed and ended up with Hepatitis C as a nurse). You will need documentation in order for them (the hospital) to pay for treatment (the bottom line is...since you likely have health insurance...it comes down to who pays for treatment...workmans' compensation or your health insurance) if your exposure results in Hepatitis C.
Good Luck. Jo
Good Luck. Jo
You said you couldn't see any blood = no exposure.
Was the glove compromised? If there wasn't a puncture = no exposure.
If you are saying that that there was no large amount of blood, but the glove was punctured, and you put pressure on it. So, there was a little bit of blood and your skin was punctured through the blood. That would be an exposure.
FYI- If you are ever poked with something that you think may be infected do not apply pressure. Allow yourself to bleed out.
Was the glove compromised? If there wasn't a puncture = no exposure.
If you are saying that that there was no large amount of blood, but the glove was punctured, and you put pressure on it. So, there was a little bit of blood and your skin was punctured through the blood. That would be an exposure.
FYI- If you are ever poked with something that you think may be infected do not apply pressure. Allow yourself to bleed out.
What is my risk of acquiring hepatitis C from a needlestick?
Unlike hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C is not efficiently transmitted from a needlestick. The average rate of seroconversion (changing from hepatitis C antibody negative to hepatitis C antibody positive) after an occupational exposure to HCV positive blood is about 1.8%, but has ranged as high as 7-10% in some studies. This risk is highest with hollow-bore needles.
You should notify the hospital of your exposure and follow their protocol for HCV needlestick.
Hector
Unlike hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C is not efficiently transmitted from a needlestick. The average rate of seroconversion (changing from hepatitis C antibody negative to hepatitis C antibody positive) after an occupational exposure to HCV positive blood is about 1.8%, but has ranged as high as 7-10% in some studies. This risk is highest with hollow-bore needles.
You should notify the hospital of your exposure and follow their protocol for HCV needlestick.
Hector
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