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tagging gun
I work for a retail company that uses tagging guns. I was tagging some comforters after tagging yhrough about five comforters I pricked my right index finger. It started to blled so I squeezed it put sanitizer on it went and washed it. I then went back to work. I had an associate tell me that another associte poked himself like 10 to 15 days ago and that he was hiv positive. I went and confronted associate he said its been tok long to remember when it happened but that I shouldn't worry. I am so upset at his noncaring attitude and careless nature. I called cdc they said that they recommend pep for all occupational needle sticks. I called my doctor but he's on vacation, spoke to nurse and she said that its not considered exposure that pep would not be needed. She said that virus dies within seconds and said not to worry. But cdc recomdatiin got me worried. I called aids vancouver and councelor (dr.) Told me to ignore cdc because even though thwy do great work they use scare tactics to prevent infections. This happened 48 hours ago. The tagging gun has a needle cover that goes over needle when not in use. My concern is the cover helped keep virus alive.. please help me I am married with three children and fourth on way haven't slept in two days. Shoyld I worry? Please doctors help answer this.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to our Forum. This is the kind of even that can make a person worry and I understand this but the event you describe is very, very low risk for infection. There are a number of reasons for this and I will outline them below:
1. As mentioned on the HIV Community site, the virus does not survive in the environment and exposure to air and room temperature renders HIV non-infectious within seconds of exposure. The stick you mention occurring to your co-worker occurred days ago, thus there is no risk for HIV infection from an exposure of this sort.
2. The staples in the tagging gun are solid and this would not have a hollow place to carry infected material forward into you (the needles which spread these infections are hollow). Any blood present would have come off as additional comforters were tagged after the puncture.
3. If your co-worker is on effective therapy, he was unlikely to be infectious. The likelihood of transmission of infection varies with the amount of virus present. Studies of sexual transmission of the virus show that the more virus present, the more likely transmission is to occur. Thus we know that treatment for HIV makes people less infectious for others.
4. As far as PEP is concerned, I am sure you can find someone to prescribe it if you wish but I would not recommend it at this time for the reasons I mention above. BTW, if you choose to pursue PEP it will cost over $1000 (at least here in the U.S.), many people have trouble tolerating the drug due to side effects, and it is certainly of no benefit 72 hours after exposure and probably of little benefit at 48.
5. As far as your family is concerned, they are not at risk from you.
My advice, please don't worry. I see to reason for concern here. I hope this comment is helpful. EWH
1. As mentioned on the HIV Community site, the virus does not survive in the environment and exposure to air and room temperature renders HIV non-infectious within seconds of exposure. The stick you mention occurring to your co-worker occurred days ago, thus there is no risk for HIV infection from an exposure of this sort.
2. The staples in the tagging gun are solid and this would not have a hollow place to carry infected material forward into you (the needles which spread these infections are hollow). Any blood present would have come off as additional comforters were tagged after the puncture.
3. If your co-worker is on effective therapy, he was unlikely to be infectious. The likelihood of transmission of infection varies with the amount of virus present. Studies of sexual transmission of the virus show that the more virus present, the more likely transmission is to occur. Thus we know that treatment for HIV makes people less infectious for others.
4. As far as PEP is concerned, I am sure you can find someone to prescribe it if you wish but I would not recommend it at this time for the reasons I mention above. BTW, if you choose to pursue PEP it will cost over $1000 (at least here in the U.S.), many people have trouble tolerating the drug due to side effects, and it is certainly of no benefit 72 hours after exposure and probably of little benefit at 48.
5. As far as your family is concerned, they are not at risk from you.
My advice, please don't worry. I see to reason for concern here. I hope this comment is helpful. EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No, your sore throat does not change anything.
Further questions will be deleted without comment.
EWH
Further questions will be deleted without comment.
EWH
Dr. This will be last question. I now have sore throat, allergy like symptoms. Is that anything to worry about. I need your reassurance one last time even is it was 5 days would that change anything. I want to make love to my wife.....
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Seconds. EWH
Last question how long would hiv be active roughly in a tagging gun needle roughly after exposure.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Glad to help. EWH
Thank you doc yes it was I sporeciate it thank you. I guess I will move on I haven't even touched my wife with all these fears that you doc.
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