Anxiety driven or real risk?

[AnxiousAlan]

The last few weeks have me all anxious. I want to know if my fears are warranted. I have two scenarios. I appreciate the help on BOTH. Thanks in advance

Exposure 1

I tested via fingerprick test (rapid hiv 1/2) at a local STD clinic recommeneded by the CDC hotline. It was in a bad neighborhood. I vaguely remember the nurse having gloves, but not 100% sure. The nurse had performed tests before mine..it was a busy clinic. I had a bloody fingernail, which I noticed after the test due to cold weather which was touched by the nurse.

- If there was residual blood on the nurses hands (gloved or not), could this infect me via the small cut in the fingernail (minor bleeding) or even the cut caused by the fingerprick test? Patient before me was tested ~1-2 mins before.
- Any reason to test?
- Is this No risk?
- I assume nurses change out lancets between patients?
- Syringes and needles are changed out between patients for blood draws, right? In case I get a ELISA test at a clinic. Blood draws are safe?


Exposure 2


I may be being irrational here:  I spat out mouthwash onto my sink and some mouthwash splashed me right in the eye...which was annoying. I had masturbated with another guy ~1 week before who used that sink. If there was HIV+ semen or even blood in sink, could it have been picked up by the mouthwash and splashed me in the eye causing HIV risk? Is a week long enough for HIV to be inactive? does Water or soap keep it active?

[AnxiousAlan]

Thanks!!!!! LAST question before I move on:

The concern for the first scenario was mainly due to my cut. If blood was on the nurses hand and came into contact with my cut on fingernail...still no risk right?

Also, is a week is enough for HIV in blood or semen to "die" or be "inactive" and thus unable to infect on sinks, right?

[nursegirl6572]

Your fears are irrational and unfounded.  You need to educate yourself on HIV transmission.  Health care workers don't re-use equipment for blood draws.  In fact most equipment used today are single use only, and are impossible to re-use.  Lancets, for example are engaged with a button and immediately the needle goes back into the housing.  The lancet cannot be "re-cokcked" and used again.  Same with equip for venipunctures.  Gloves or not, that is no risk.  HCW's use gloves primarily for THEIR potential risk (not speaking of HIV, just in general), not because of yours.

The other scenario is no risk either...you cannot get HIV from inanimate objects like sinks, toilets, countertops, glasses, eating utensils, etc.  The virus has no capacity to infect outside the body.

You  need to address your irrational viewpoints about HIV transmission.

[AnxiousAlan]

Last follow up:

The second splash scenario...the virus wouldnt survive a week on the sink surface, correct? How long would it survive?

Thanks
Alan

[Vance2335]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Clinic-risk-and-potential-splash---two-scenarios/show/1502834

[ricky_id]

From a logical perspective you had no HIV risk from them, that simple.

[AnxiousAlan]

Really? Anyone else have an opinoon? Even if the cut was bleeding when touched?

Seems odd...

[Vance2335]

My answer is not going to change no matter what you say.

[AnxiousAlan]

Even if the cut was touched when bleeding with another hand with blood on glove?

[Vance2335]

1. No risk
2. No risk.

High level of anxiety is driving these questions.

HIV is transmitted: Unprotected vagina and/or anal sex, Sharing needles (IV drugs), mother to unborn/nusing child.