Aa
HIV risk from testing?
Although I realize this will sound ridiculous to most, I still need to ask. I have OCD and realise the risk is probably zero, however I still have some doubts.
Okay, so today I went for a general blood test and to get tested for STDs. The nurse who was drawing blood was a bit of a nimrod. Before drawing blood he opened the alcohol wipe and put the packet on the table and the alcohol wipe, while being partially still in the packet, made contact with the table. He then used the wipe to wipe my arm, then wiped the arm wit a cotton ball. He then drew the blood. After taking the blood I noticed a few splashes of blood on the table (the very same table that the alcohol wipe had made contact with, however the blood I saw was on a different part of the table than where the alcohol wipe had made contact). I asked the nurse if that was blood on the table, he said it was and that it was probably mine from the needle. Also, the cloth my arm was on didn't look like it was new, but this didn't come into contact with the site the needle entered. Now, is it possible that there was someone elses blood on the part of the table that made contact with the alcohol wipe (although I didn't
see any, I can't be 100% though, there was a mark that looked more like a pen mark) that got on to the wipe which was then used to wipe my arm and thus transferring the blood to the outside of my arm which then could have entered my body when the needle went through? I don't have a lot of confidence in this nurse especially since after drawing blood he made me check the label of each vial of blood to ensure he had written the correct information on it. He also had some cuts on his hand but wore gloves, I didn't want to seem like a hypocondriac so I didn't say anything
about the wipe touching the table, but maybe I should have.
Thanks in advance for your responses.
Okay, so today I went for a general blood test and to get tested for STDs. The nurse who was drawing blood was a bit of a nimrod. Before drawing blood he opened the alcohol wipe and put the packet on the table and the alcohol wipe, while being partially still in the packet, made contact with the table. He then used the wipe to wipe my arm, then wiped the arm wit a cotton ball. He then drew the blood. After taking the blood I noticed a few splashes of blood on the table (the very same table that the alcohol wipe had made contact with, however the blood I saw was on a different part of the table than where the alcohol wipe had made contact). I asked the nurse if that was blood on the table, he said it was and that it was probably mine from the needle. Also, the cloth my arm was on didn't look like it was new, but this didn't come into contact with the site the needle entered. Now, is it possible that there was someone elses blood on the part of the table that made contact with the alcohol wipe (although I didn't
see any, I can't be 100% though, there was a mark that looked more like a pen mark) that got on to the wipe which was then used to wipe my arm and thus transferring the blood to the outside of my arm which then could have entered my body when the needle went through? I don't have a lot of confidence in this nurse especially since after drawing blood he made me check the label of each vial of blood to ensure he had written the correct information on it. He also had some cuts on his hand but wore gloves, I didn't want to seem like a hypocondriac so I didn't say anything
about the wipe touching the table, but maybe I should have.
Thanks in advance for your responses.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
