hiv question

[greg09]

I am a mortuary science student, am starting my work in the morgue with bodies. I have a question cause I asked my friend and they said they didn't know answer so I should try to look online and I found this site for questions.

I had to go to the morgue and watch my teacher do some work on a body, and they told us to go get gloves on. So I went over to the table where the box of gloves are and I went to get a pair, then I noticed there was a box of used/dirty tools (like scalpels, scissors, tweezers, stuff like that) in a box in front of the gloves that I guess they had been using all day. I didn't think anything of it and reached over the box, grabbed a pair of gloves quick and went over with my class.

After class I started geting really nervous if I accidentally touched or got cut by one of the scalpels and scissors on the table in the box while reaching for the gloves to wear like the teacher told us. Someone told me if I got cut by them (the ones that had been used in the bucket, in front of the gloves) that it could transmit aids and diseases like that.  

I'm really worried. I don't remember feeling any cut, anything sharp or touching anything (the scalpels or scissors or anuthing, I think I reached over the box anbd didn't touch anyting) but when I was done, for whatever reason I started feeling a little nervous and found a small little nick on my cuticle on my left hand.it didn't look like it was bleeding.  I picked it to make sure it was a break in my skin, and it was for sure. There definitely was some kind of tiny nick.  It looked like a tiny little dot/poke in my cuticle, don't know where it came from. I know it could have come from anywhere, even before I went into class, but I'm nervous. If my hand would have touched a scalpel or poked a scissor, it would have hurt, right? Has this ever happened to anyone? Im nervus, does someone know answer?

I'm really nervous about this, I have a girlfriend. Do I need to go get std tests now???????? should I go to my doctor??????? Pls answer, thanks.

[greg09]

Forgot to add before...the instruments were definitely there...not being paranoid or anything about that. I was getting more nervous about whteher or not I had contact with them.

[greg09]

Thanks for response....yeah, they were instruments such as scalpels, tweezers, etc.... that were in there (but not sharps, those are in the special containers).

In the worst case that I was cut by something (which as you said, it does sound like I'm paranoid - kind of got freaked out after friend told me), if there was blood on any of those instruments and I was cut, there would still be no risk? I know they were not "freshly" used, so anything "dried" on those would not transmit hiv either?

Again, I know it sounds like paranoia...I don't specifically recall getting cut or anything, but got nervous after my friend told me about it if I missed it.

Thanks again for help...and just to outline again (you didn't mention), you don't think I need to go get std/hiv testing after this? Like I said, have a girlfriend but we both are in a safe, monogmous relationship in which both of us were tested for diseases (this being my only new questionable event)? Don't get tested?

Thanks again for your help and experrience. I see you are well respected on the board.

[LIZZIE LOU]

hiv is not transmitted through inanimate objects.  once exposed to air...hiv becomes inactive and unable to infect.

hard to believe that a morgue would have used instruments laying around like that...my bet is your paranoia is majorly at work here)

NO RISK

[greg09]

If anyone can respond I'd appreciate it - someone on the forum with experience in this. Thanks.

[greg09]

Anyone? Not sure if I am posting in the right spot.

[greg09]

Also, I didn't see the cut bleeding on my hand, but looked a little open. Not bleeding now or anything if that makes a difference.