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Author Topic: HIV Risk From Blood Test  (Read 8482 times)

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Offline worriedlea

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HIV Risk From Blood Test
« on: October 04, 2007, 08:16:13 pm »

Yesterday I attended the local pathology to have a blood screening (a broad screening including HIV/Hep etc). 

The first technician put the needle in and couldnt get the vein.  She went and got the pathologist from the lab and asked him to do it.

He walked straight in and removed the Band Aid from the puncture wound and felt around for a vein without washing his hands or wearing gloves.  Im pretty sure his finger touched were the previous needle had gone in.

I then noticed s smear of dried blood on the bottom of his hand heard his wrist.  I told him about this and he said "Yeah I stuck myself with a sterile needle before".  He then went and washed his hands and applied gloves before taking my blood.

I am extremely concerned about this as I am worried he may have transferred blood from his finger (I did not notice whether or not it had blood on it) to the fresh puncture mark on my arm.  I do know that where he touched me no blood was visibly transferred from his finger to my skin.

I am not only worried about his blood but also if he was working with any other blood products before treating me.

Do you think this is a significant risk?
What is the risk for this?  Should I be tested?  What should I do from here?

Also I am breastfeeding my 4 month old baby.  Should I stop feeding just in case?

I am extremely concerned about this and cannot sleep (on top of having to look after my two children) - which is torture.

Thanks so much, 

Lea.

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2007, 08:29:18 pm »
WHat you described is not a risk for HIV. However, such unprofessional behaviour on the part of the technician should be reported. HIPPA standards exist for the benefit of both medical professionals and patients.

HIV is not spread in such casual contact. It is spread primarily through unprotected anal or vaginal sex. There is no risk to you insofar as HIV is concerned.


"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline worriedlea

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2007, 06:09:46 pm »
I am totally terrified and believe this was more than 'casual contact'.

What I am most concerned about is feeding my baby after this and the possible risk that if I have caught something that my baby could get it.

What do you think is the earliest test I could get just to see how things are going....I know the window period for the ELISA is 12 weeks but I just cannot wait that long, particularly considering its breaking my heart every time I feed my baby thinking that I am passing something on to him.  Do you think a PCR test or something like that could be done earlier just as an indicator?


Offline Ann

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2007, 06:15:16 pm »
worried,

You were NOT at risk for hiv infection during this incident. If you continue to worry, I'd suggest going to the clinic where it happened and discussing it with them. You were not at risk for hiv infection.

You don't need to test over this and you are not putting your baby at risk for anything - other than having an over-anxious mother.

Ann
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Offline anniebc

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2007, 06:22:53 pm »
Quote
I am totally terrified and believe this was more than 'casual contact'.

Why would you think this?

You  have in no way been put at risk for HIV...if this is going to worry you and stress you out then I suggest you go and talk to the clinic you attended...for peace of mind if nothing else.

Jan
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Offline worriedlea

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2007, 09:34:57 pm »
I have been and spoken with the pathologist who took the sample.

He told me:

Yes there was blood on his hand (he didnt realise) and that he had pricked himself there with a sterile syringe earlier. He assures me that that part of his hand did not come in contact with my needle mark.  I asked him if there could have been blood on his fingers and he said he didnt think so. 

I didnt notice his fingers but I know there was no transfer of 'wet' blood onto my arm.  If there was blood on his fingers and in was dry, and he touched my needle mark with his finger, could HIV have possibly transferred?

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2007, 09:44:41 pm »
You're just wandering around in the domain of WHAT IFs and all to no good purpose.

As far as I am concerned this was a non-risk incident and you're just working yourself into a state over it without any basis in HIV science.

I don't see any need for testing nor for further concern. Period. End of story. Really.
Andy Velez

Offline worriedlea

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #7 on: October 07, 2007, 08:53:38 pm »
What about the fact that if there was blood on his finger and a small amount of blood was transferred to my arm and by putting the needle in the second time some of the blood/virus particles were pushed into my vein by the needle?

Offline Matty the Damned

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #8 on: October 07, 2007, 08:55:25 pm »
Lea,

You can what if all you like it's not going to change the answers you've received. You don't need to worry about HIV as a result of what you report.

MtD

Offline worriedlea

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Blood ATM
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2008, 07:39:49 pm »
I cannot believe my luck (or lack thereof...)

I have just recovered from the testing and psychological effects of a blood exposure at a hospital.

A couple of days ago I used an ATM machine. After pressing the buttons and waiting for the cash to come out I noticed an area of the ATM had a bright red drip of blood, about 3 inches long on the side between the keys and the money dispenser.  I dont know if it was still wet or not but it was definately fresh looking.

I did not touch this area but I am now worried that the person who left the blood there may have had blood on their fingers when touching the keys on the keypad. I could see no visible blood on my hand but wiped my hands with a baby wipe and then went home and washed my hands.

I looked at the keys on the keypad and could not see any obvious signs of blood, however the keys were dark coloured so I dont know!

What are the chances of catching HIV?  My skin is intact but I am worried I have rubbed my eye or put my finger in my mouth after touching the keypad?

I am a complete wreck about this.  Clearly this is just compounded from what I have just been through but I am worried sick.  What do I do!?!?

Should I be tested?

Thanks in anticipation, Lea.

Offline RapidRod

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2008, 07:42:07 pm »
You were never at risk and you don't need testing. What you do need after reading your other threads is to seek out the help of a mental health professional for your phobias.

Offline worriedlea

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2008, 08:35:20 pm »
Rod,

Thats what hurts so much - I have just spent the last 5 months trying to get better after the hospital incident.    I actually spent 6 weeks in a private psychiatric hospital relating to OCD which became extremely severe after the hospital incident.

I was doing so well.  I have gone back to work (I am a police officer), have been able to reduce medication etc.  This was actually the first time I was going out with some friends to enjoy myself when I used the ATM machine.

I feel like I have just had the biggest kick in the teeth.  Its like I cant escape from blood!  I have worked for months to try and get over my fear of being exposed to blood just to have this happen.  Its like it almost confirms my fears and has the potential to undo everything I have done in the last few months.

My husband was there and when I asked him to look he just couldnt believe it.  He just said "Why us?".  And he is very easy going and hard to shake but even he was upset by it.

I am just so worried about it - I am breaking down the incident bit by bit and looking at everything through a microscope. I have convinced myself that I have put my finger in my eye and that I therefore got blood in my eye.  Yes farfetched but this is how this monster operates....

Any help or reassurance would be appreciated.  I am really struggling...  Would you believe I have even thought of trying to obtaining the CCTV footage to see if I did put my finger in my eye?  Is this what my life is going to be like?  What more can I do - maybe lock myself indoors...

Lea.

Offline RapidRod

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #12 on: March 21, 2008, 08:38:01 pm »
1. Did you have unprotected sex with an ATM machine?
2. Did you and the ATM machine share works to inject drugs?

If you answered no to those questions then you never had a risk.

PS. You cannot contract HIV from environmental surfaces. Continue to work with your doctor.
« Last Edit: March 21, 2008, 08:42:48 pm by RapidRod »

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #13 on: March 21, 2008, 10:07:57 pm »
This is not an HIV situation. Period.

You need to work for as long as necessary with a therapist or other professional to deal with what's going on emotionally. We can't provide that kind of support in this setting. Nor I might add are we going to indulge you in discussing these incidents as if they were real risks for transmission when they clearly aren't. And on some level I suspect you realize that as well.

Good luck to you in getting this addressed in the appropriate setting. 
Andy Velez

Offline worriedlea

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #14 on: March 22, 2008, 01:55:37 am »
I understand I need help for the OCD (again...).

I am not on here asking for that or to annoy anyone.

All I am asking is that one of the experts explains to me why this isnt an exposure.  Thats all.  Because I will print it out and carry it with me so that I can read it to myself when my mind starts to wander.

Thanks, Lea.

Offline anniebc

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #15 on: March 22, 2008, 02:37:48 am »
Ok,  print this out, get the help you need, and move on ..in that order, we can't help you any more.

 HIV is not an airborne, water-borne or food-borne virus, and does not survive for very long outside the human body, so ordinary social contact such as kissing, shaking hands, coughing, sneezing and getting money out of an ATM MACHINE  does not result in the virus being passed from one person to another...HIV HAS TO GET INTO THE BLOOD STREAM.

Jan
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Offline Andy Velez

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Re: HIV Risk From Blood Test
« Reply #16 on: March 22, 2008, 09:38:43 am »
You might also drop the poor me, victim and why is this happening to me drama. You're indulging in more bathos about things which have absolutely no basis in HIV science as you have already been told.

The real challenge is that it's time to get on with your life. No kidding.
Andy Velez

 


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