Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Worried about my blood test today

Ok so I went to Sharp for routine blood work .The lab technician who drew my blood didn't seem too professional. I know I should have spoken up but did not. Here is the scenario:

At the beginning she had a glove on her right hand . The left hand was not gloved . I can't remember if the glove on her right hand was a clean glove, or if she had been wearing it already when she came to draw my blood. Anyways, so with one glove on the right hand and nothing on the left she proceeded to take out a needle from the drawer and get the gauze ready

She took out an antiseptic wipe (still only wearing one glove) and wiped my arm over the area where  she was going to draw blood . Then AFTER wiping my arm with the antiseptic she put her left iindex finger (the hand WITHOUT a glove on ) and pressed down on my vein (i guess checking to see if its a good vein) . So she basically touched my skin with her bare hand AFTER wiping my skin with the wipe. She had not washed her hands before helping me.  She didn't bother to rewipe my arm after that.

Then she finally got around to putting on a glove for her left hand, drew blood, and put the vials on the counter. Then she didn't bother to take off her gloves before taking the piece of paper for my lab order to the front desk! . If she didn't take off her gloves after helping me, she has probably helped other patients and then didn't remove her gloves too!

im just so worried that i might have gotten HIV or some other blood-born illness from this because I can't be sure if the glove she had on when she first started was a fresh one (i wasn't paying attention) and then she touched my arm with her bare finger after disinfecting my arm, which could introduce pathogens on the skin that could then get in my bloodstream when she stuck the needle in. I need ADVICE please!
5 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1519393 tn?1306802108
...if the virus could survive on fingers, we'd all have HIV.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I dont mean to question your answer, but my thoughts were what if there was HIV virus on her finger that couldn't be seen , but then it got transferred to my arm cause she stuck the needle in  right after she touched my arm...?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You never had a risk.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Are you sure? i dont think HIV dies immediately once exposed to air
Helpful - 0
1563685 tn?1310402354
No risk, once HIV virus is exposed to the air it will become inactive/uninfectious immediately.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community

Top HIV Answerers
366749 tn?1544695265
Karachi, Pakistan
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
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.