Was I put at risk for HIV while being tested for HIV due to broken protocol

[Bradl01]

I went to a free HIV clinic and had a rapid HIV test performed via finger prick. The counselor opened a vaccumed sealed package and dumped the contents onto the bare surface of her desk. A desk where all other patients HIV tests are performed. I did not  see her wipe the desk down first with any sort of decontamination product, nor did she lay down any barrier on the surface such as a medical diaper or paper towel. She put on gloves and opened an alcohol swab to wipe my finger tip. She then grabbed the protected  needle and punctured my finger. All good up until now. She then proceeded to squeeze blood out of my fingertip and into the testing bottle. She then wiped my finger with a cotton ball and placed the bloody cotton ball on the desk surface. She squeezed my finger again, put more blood in the vial and wiped it again with the same cotton ball. She did this 3 times and in between each time she layed this cotton ball on the desk surface. My question is that knowing this desk is used to test other patients, this being an HIV testing clinic, and not knowing whether the surface was disinfected, could the cotton ball have picked up HIV virus on the desk surface, mixed with my blood on the cotton ball and been transmitted to my open puncture wound on my fingertip?

[Chima7]

HIV does not survive on non living surfaces where air continues to break down the virus. HIV can ONLY infect INSIDE a living host. It is not physically possible for the virus to survive out in the open sitting on surfaces. You have zero risk and this is NOT a valid concern for infection.

[Daniel2015]

Listen, if you caught HIV from this, you might as well play the lottery and become a multi billionaire  tomorrow...
There is virtually no chances at all you caught anything from that. The HIV virus is fragile and will not survive enough time outside the body. + most of people going to a clinic to check their status quit it with a negative result... so as CurfewX said, you are fine.

If you still feel anxious about this situation, i would suggest you to consult a mental health professional.... or just get tested if it really helps you,...

All the best

[Bradl01]

I'm still concerned about this incident. Can you explain why you are so certain that my bloody cotton swab could not have picked up HIV virus (or Hep C) from the bare desk surface and infected my fingerprick while she wiped it. I have no idea who may have been tested on that surface, when, if they were positive or not, and if the desk was protected or decontaminated prior to me being tested. Last post. Thank you.

[CurfewX]

There is no chance at all you were infected at a testing clinic.  First, you mention that this is an HIV testing facility.  They are obviously not in the business of infecting their clients.  Additionally, HIV does not remain active outside of the body (on surfaces, cotton balls, etc.) and even if it did, it would take a LOT more blood and a LOT deeper wound on your hand in order to transfer.  This scenario is impossible - put it behind you and move on.

[Bradl01]

Thank you for your reply. I went back into the place to express my anxiety about this and the counselor explained that she was supposed to put a barrier down on the desk but that she didn't have any in that room at the time so she just bypassed it. She also then explained, and showed me, that they use HIV disinfectant wipes on the desk after each patient but I have no way of knowing if that happened before me. Heck, she broke protocol on the paper towels , why not the wiping of the surface too. So if she was suppose to use a barrier and their protocol is to wipe down the desk with disinfectant wipes then they obviously believe there's a need to clean or cover the surface to prevent contamination. So I can't help wonder if it was somehow possible. It doesn't help that the place was sketchy to begin with and the "counselor" left a lot to be desired. I just wasn't comfortable with her or the place. Maybe I'm just feeling like I should be punished.

[CurfewX]

Regardless of what happened, it is impossible to get HIV in the scenario described.  There wouldn't be enough blood, wouldn't be enough of a wound.  It doesn't matter what else you or anyone else adds to this story - you did not get HIV in the lab.