Aa
Am I overreacting of there was a risk?
Hello Doctor
Today, I went for Rapid HIV test at Planned ParentHood and was given a fingerstick and results came back negative. What worries me is that the nurse didn't wear cloves while performing the test. I don't believe that she touched my blood and after test I asked her to allow to inspect her hands and she showed them to me and I saw no blood or open wounds. She also told me not to worry as she was HIV-. I am still somehow concerned if I could've gotten infected while getting the test. Can you tell me Doc if there was any risk? I also talked to Medical Director of Planned ParentHood and was told that their policy is to use the gloves and while it highly unlikely to get infected this way, she will discuss it with nurse and may require her to get test to prove that she is HIV-. Do you think I push it to far? Is there even slight risk I got infected?
Thanks a lot
CatSPB
Today, I went for Rapid HIV test at Planned ParentHood and was given a fingerstick and results came back negative. What worries me is that the nurse didn't wear cloves while performing the test. I don't believe that she touched my blood and after test I asked her to allow to inspect her hands and she showed them to me and I saw no blood or open wounds. She also told me not to worry as she was HIV-. I am still somehow concerned if I could've gotten infected while getting the test. Can you tell me Doc if there was any risk? I also talked to Medical Director of Planned ParentHood and was told that their policy is to use the gloves and while it highly unlikely to get infected this way, she will discuss it with nurse and may require her to get test to prove that she is HIV-. Do you think I push it to far? Is there even slight risk I got infected?
Thanks a lot
CatSPB
Thank you very much Doctor. I also think that I over-reacted and feel really stupid now. I will call and appologize. This supid HIV OCD of mine sometimes takes a full control over me and I am completly losing my mind
Best wishes
Best wishes
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
In the entire history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic worldwide, and in the 20+ years since HIV testing has been routine, I'll bet not one person ever caught HIV from being tested. It is indeed reommended that health care providers wear protective gloves when they draw blood or otherwise come into contact with patients' blood or secretions. But the main reason is not to protect the patient from something carried by the provider. Just the oppositve: it is to protect the provider from infections carried by the patient.
There was no risk whatsoever to you and yes, I do believe you pushed this too far. No health care provider ever is required to be HIV negative or to provide evidence he or she doesn't have HIV (or hepatitis or any other blood borne infection). Even HIV positive surgeons are OK to operate on patients and do so regularly. The nurse's supervisor may request that she be tested, but almost certainly cannot legally require her to do so.
No worries here. And I think you might consider calling and apologizing to the nurse.
Regards-- HHH, MD
There was no risk whatsoever to you and yes, I do believe you pushed this too far. No health care provider ever is required to be HIV negative or to provide evidence he or she doesn't have HIV (or hepatitis or any other blood borne infection). Even HIV positive surgeons are OK to operate on patients and do so regularly. The nurse's supervisor may request that she be tested, but almost certainly cannot legally require her to do so.
No worries here. And I think you might consider calling and apologizing to the nurse.
Regards-- HHH, MD
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