Aa
spit in eyes?
I am a Law enforcement officer, and had a suspect spit in my eyes on 1/3/08. I was treated at the local ER within 3 hours, and placed on Combivir (1 tab twice a day). The local health dept. took samples of the suspects blood. His Hepititus C test was positive, (STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE HIV OR HEPITITUS B TESTS BACK FROM THE STATE'S LAB).
Since taking the Combivir, I have been nausea and fatigued. Then on 1/12/08 I am hopistalized for dehydration, due to vomiting(Kept overnight then released / did have a fever 100-102). They believe I had a stomach virus, and took me off the Combivir for two days.
My question is do you think I should restart the combivir, being I have been off of it for two and a half days? What are my risks to any of the viruses with this type of exposure. Note: They never flushed my eyes, but I did clean my face with a bacterialcide directly after the incident. And lastly I do have a small spot on the white part of my left eye, that I was told came from sun exposure, and it usually seen on individuals around the equator (can't remember the name).
Thanks for your Time!
RJ
Since taking the Combivir, I have been nausea and fatigued. Then on 1/12/08 I am hopistalized for dehydration, due to vomiting(Kept overnight then released / did have a fever 100-102). They believe I had a stomach virus, and took me off the Combivir for two days.
My question is do you think I should restart the combivir, being I have been off of it for two and a half days? What are my risks to any of the viruses with this type of exposure. Note: They never flushed my eyes, but I did clean my face with a bacterialcide directly after the incident. And lastly I do have a small spot on the white part of my left eye, that I was told came from sun exposure, and it usually seen on individuals around the equator (can't remember the name).
Thanks for your Time!
RJ
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear RJ:
With regard to your question of whether to restart the combivir or not, my first recommendation is to discuss this with the medical provider(s) that originally prescribed the medication.
And, were you able to find out the laboratory results for the suspect?
Overall, your risk in this situation is very low. Restarting the combivir at this time is not likely to significantly reduce your already very low risk.
~*~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
With regard to your question of whether to restart the combivir or not, my first recommendation is to discuss this with the medical provider(s) that originally prescribed the medication.
And, were you able to find out the laboratory results for the suspect?
Overall, your risk in this situation is very low. Restarting the combivir at this time is not likely to significantly reduce your already very low risk.
~*~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear RJ:
How did your appointment with the internist go?
Any news on the suspect's test results?
~*~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
How did your appointment with the internist go?
Any news on the suspect's test results?
~*~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Luke,
Since this encounter, I have placed a bottle of Saline solution in my cruiser. As well as clear glasses.
Dr. Parks,
I am still waiting on the suspect's HIV test result. He had his blood taken at the local health dept. and it takes around two weeks for the results. The original provider of the Combivir was an E.R. doctor, and I have been to a urgent care facility (for follow up treatment), that has referred me back to the local health dept, which then referred me to a internal medicine doctor, which I will see in about two hours. I have really been getting the run around from the local medical professionals, and that is why I am on this forum. Trying to find out on my own, because they don't seem to know. I don't think that the doctors that I have seen so far, deal with this type of situation very often. Hopefully the doctor today will know more about this type of situation.
I am starting to stress out over this incident. Just thinking about contracting HIV or Hep C, and how it would drastically affect my life as well as my family's life. I have always been leary of bolidily fluids, and after this experience, I would much rather face a suspect with a gun than to deal with this stuff.
If you get a chance, please say a prayer for me.
RJ
Since this encounter, I have placed a bottle of Saline solution in my cruiser. As well as clear glasses.
Dr. Parks,
I am still waiting on the suspect's HIV test result. He had his blood taken at the local health dept. and it takes around two weeks for the results. The original provider of the Combivir was an E.R. doctor, and I have been to a urgent care facility (for follow up treatment), that has referred me back to the local health dept, which then referred me to a internal medicine doctor, which I will see in about two hours. I have really been getting the run around from the local medical professionals, and that is why I am on this forum. Trying to find out on my own, because they don't seem to know. I don't think that the doctors that I have seen so far, deal with this type of situation very often. Hopefully the doctor today will know more about this type of situation.
I am starting to stress out over this incident. Just thinking about contracting HIV or Hep C, and how it would drastically affect my life as well as my family's life. I have always been leary of bolidily fluids, and after this experience, I would much rather face a suspect with a gun than to deal with this stuff.
If you get a chance, please say a prayer for me.
RJ
If you don't already do this, it might be a good idea to go to the local firehouse and get a bottle of distilled water or a saline solution and carrier it in your squad car incase you need to flush your eyes or a wound in the future.
If I haven't taken the combivir for 6 days now, is there any need to start back now?
Our doctors do their best to answer as soon as possible, but they all have full-time jobs as well. In general we allow 5 days for a reply, but most of the time the replies are much faster, typically even the same day.
MedHelp
MedHelp
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
RJ,
One last comment.
In the future, you SHOULD flush your eyes out with water at the earliest possible convenience after an exposure such as the one you experienced.
And, you might consider wearing protective glasses while you are on duty. There are numerous possibilities for eye injury and exposures in your line of work.
~ Dr. Parks
One last comment.
In the future, you SHOULD flush your eyes out with water at the earliest possible convenience after an exposure such as the one you experienced.
And, you might consider wearing protective glasses while you are on duty. There are numerous possibilities for eye injury and exposures in your line of work.
~ Dr. Parks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear RJ:
Thank you for your service as a law enforcement officer.
I must apologize for the delay in my reply.
In reference to your question.
1. The risks of transmission of HIV, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis B varying depending on several parameters: the nature of exposure (saliva-->mucous membrane in your case); whether there was blood in the saliva; how much of the virus was present in the saliva; and the integrity of the mucous membrane (whether you had a cut or abrasion).
2. Combivir is intended to reduce the risk of you acquiring HIV from this exposure. Combivir does NOT protect you from Hepatitis B or C.
3. Your risk of acquiring the above viruses is very low because of the nature of your exposure. Nevertheless, you should complete all of the follow-up appointments that have been recommended to you.
4. I would recommend that you take the Combivir at least until you have received word that the suspect is HIV negative. However, you should know that if the suspect was recently infected with HIV, he or she may not have positive HIV test.
5. The white spot in your eye is likely either a Pterygia or a Pingueculae. Pinguecula and pterygium are both non-malignant, slow-growing proliferations of conjunctival connective tissue in the eye. Pterygia, but not pingueculae, extend over the cornea. - from www.healthatoz.com
6. I wish you well in your career and in your continued service.
~*~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thank you for your service as a law enforcement officer.
I must apologize for the delay in my reply.
In reference to your question.
1. The risks of transmission of HIV, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis B varying depending on several parameters: the nature of exposure (saliva-->mucous membrane in your case); whether there was blood in the saliva; how much of the virus was present in the saliva; and the integrity of the mucous membrane (whether you had a cut or abrasion).
2. Combivir is intended to reduce the risk of you acquiring HIV from this exposure. Combivir does NOT protect you from Hepatitis B or C.
3. Your risk of acquiring the above viruses is very low because of the nature of your exposure. Nevertheless, you should complete all of the follow-up appointments that have been recommended to you.
4. I would recommend that you take the Combivir at least until you have received word that the suspect is HIV negative. However, you should know that if the suspect was recently infected with HIV, he or she may not have positive HIV test.
5. The white spot in your eye is likely either a Pterygia or a Pingueculae. Pinguecula and pterygium are both non-malignant, slow-growing proliferations of conjunctival connective tissue in the eye. Pterygia, but not pingueculae, extend over the cornea. - from www.healthatoz.com
6. I wish you well in your career and in your continued service.
~*~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Please reply!
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