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hiv ask
I had an exposure. Iam a nurse and was talking to a patient who is hiv positive. I was trying to explain when I felt drops of his saliva flew into my mouth. Is this an exposure and shud I be concerned the slightest about this.
I have to agree with Teak here. While I understand that nursing school isn't always the best at providing accurate info about HIV, what you're worried about is very obviously not a risk, and you should have been taught that.
You want a scientific answer? I'll help. HIV requires a few factors to be present to allow for transmission, with NO exceptions. If any ONE of the factors are not present, transmission can not occur. Two out of three isn't enough, all 3 (along with a perfect environment) have to be present.
ONE.....the virus has to remain viable, which it has a VERY hard time doing. The second it's exposed to the elements, the process of destruction of the outer shell of the virus begins, which would prevent the virus from latching on the receptor (T) cells that would lead to infection.
TWO....there has to be a sufficient portal of entry to allow for the virus to gain entry to the bloodstream by being exposed to certain mucous membranes that allow it, the urethra in males, for example. While the oral cavity is made of a mucous membrane, it's not the same kind of mucous membrane as say the urethra. You can read my journal about oral sex for a more detailed explanation about that:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/HIV/HIV-AND-ORAL-SEX-THE-FACTS/show/1278?cid=68
THREE...there has to be sufficient amount of the virus to allow for transmission. This is why SO many low-moderate risks never lead to transmission. Even IF this was a way to get HIV (which it's not)....a couple drops of saliva would never do it. This is also one of the reasons most needle stick injuries don't lead to infection, unless it's a large bore needle that is grossly contaminated with blood.
IN addition to the above, saliva prohibits HIV.
Hopefully the above explanation sheds light on that for you. As a nurse, the ONLY way you would EVER be at risk for HIV in the workplace is if you sustained a SEVERE injury with either a large bore needle (IM or IV, not a SQ) or another severe injury involving copious amounts of fresh blood (think a scalpel injury in the OR). Transmission of HIV in a health care workplace is VERY VERY rare.
You will NEVER be at risk for HIV by doing your standard nursing duties taking care of HIV patients.
You want a scientific answer? I'll help. HIV requires a few factors to be present to allow for transmission, with NO exceptions. If any ONE of the factors are not present, transmission can not occur. Two out of three isn't enough, all 3 (along with a perfect environment) have to be present.
ONE.....the virus has to remain viable, which it has a VERY hard time doing. The second it's exposed to the elements, the process of destruction of the outer shell of the virus begins, which would prevent the virus from latching on the receptor (T) cells that would lead to infection.
TWO....there has to be a sufficient portal of entry to allow for the virus to gain entry to the bloodstream by being exposed to certain mucous membranes that allow it, the urethra in males, for example. While the oral cavity is made of a mucous membrane, it's not the same kind of mucous membrane as say the urethra. You can read my journal about oral sex for a more detailed explanation about that:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/HIV/HIV-AND-ORAL-SEX-THE-FACTS/show/1278?cid=68
THREE...there has to be sufficient amount of the virus to allow for transmission. This is why SO many low-moderate risks never lead to transmission. Even IF this was a way to get HIV (which it's not)....a couple drops of saliva would never do it. This is also one of the reasons most needle stick injuries don't lead to infection, unless it's a large bore needle that is grossly contaminated with blood.
IN addition to the above, saliva prohibits HIV.
Hopefully the above explanation sheds light on that for you. As a nurse, the ONLY way you would EVER be at risk for HIV in the workplace is if you sustained a SEVERE injury with either a large bore needle (IM or IV, not a SQ) or another severe injury involving copious amounts of fresh blood (think a scalpel injury in the OR). Transmission of HIV in a health care workplace is VERY VERY rare.
You will NEVER be at risk for HIV by doing your standard nursing duties taking care of HIV patients.
You will find out as soon as you explain it to the person that in charge of your bloodborne pathogen standard at your work.
U are a very knowledgeable person, iam sorry but why don't u explain it to me. It will really help and want to know if this is no risk at all
I just asked for a scientific answer. Iam a little confused about the same. Can u please explain.
You did not go through nursing school and not get educated on bloodborne pathogens and HIV. If you can't answer your own questions you need to go back to nursing school.
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Is it possible u explain this scientifically. Is it not that hiv is present in blood and other carriers in the body. How come it is not there in the saliva?
Iam asking because may be that person is not taking any medicines. Any risk if he is not taking any medicines. Is this no risk at all?
Is there any risk at all? Do u think I shud go for testing . In short, iam asking whether it cud be any small possibility with this kind of exposure
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