Blood draw without gloves

[whatdo193]

I had a test done at a free STD clinic and the person who conducted the test was not wearing gloves. At the end of the test he told my test came back negative for HIV. I was really excited and ready to move on but for some odd reason he told me he is HIV +. I started to freak out becasue he didn't use gloves at the time of testing.
Is this even a risk? Do I need to test again at 12 weeks?

Thank you!

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Hello,

HIV is transmissible (passed) from person to person through the exchange of (or exposure to) bodily fluids (blood, semen, etc) by sexual contact, sharing of needles that are not sterile. HIV is not known to be passed from person to person by skin contact (such as shaking hands).

What sort of test did you have? Did you have blood drawn?

In general, in situations like the one that you describe, there is no risk of HIV transmission unless there is an exchange of bodily fluids. For example, let's say that person A is drawing blood from person B (who is HIV +) and person A is not wearing gloves. Then, let's say that accidently person A sticks him or herself with the needle after drawing person B's blood. Then, person B could be at risk.

I hope that his helps. Please respond with additional questions.

~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical or legal advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Hello,

Unless the technician who is drawing your blood had an open wound by which blood or bodily fluids could be exchanged, there is no possibility of you acquiring a blood borne pathogen such as HIV or Hepatitis C.

~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical or legal advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

[Lita967]

Hello Dr. Parks:

Thank you for taking my question which is a little similar to the one above. Is there a risk of exposure if blood is drawn (butterfly needle) and the technician neglects to wear gloves? blood was drawn from the back of my hand and I was advised to leave the site open. Should I consider testing for HIV/Hep C and if so, how soon and at what intervals?

Thanks.

[Ithougtiwasdone]

Thank you so much. The service you provide on the site absolutely incredible. Thank you so much for taking your time you repond to my question.

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

In general, No.

~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical or legal advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

[Ithougtiwasdone]

Thank you Dr.

Does this theoretically expouser which did not involve exchange of blood or bodily fluids.
require testing?

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Hello,

Yes, theoretically, for there to be a significant risk, there must be an exchange of blood or bodily fluids.

~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical or legal advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

[Ithougtiwasdone]

I am so sorry to jump in like this but I do have a similar question.If the person giving the test had open cuts or sores and came in contact with the bleeding finger, does that create a risk? or does he have to be bleeding and his blood has to go into the open bleeding finger?

[whatdo193]

Thank you so much for the response.

It was actually the rapid finger ***** test. I am just worried  if he had any cuts or wounds on his hands and if he touched my bleeding finger. I do not believe he was bleeing.

Thank you so much.