occupational hiv exposure, help

[salsajas1]

 I work for retail company. We were removing 4 x 8 slat wall (5 pieces). I cut myself on 3rd piece, when slipped from his hand. . Went Imediately washed hands and put bandage. Later I noticed scratches on hands of associate helping me he is hiv positive. I never saw blood. I asked my doctor but he said it's not even worth talking about because chances are so remote it's almost imposible. But next day got bad headache, sore throat, allergy like symptoms. So called hotline, they scared me they said I had major occupational exposure should have been put on pep but too late now. Now I'm scared. My doctor is upset asked for hotline number. But now I'm scared. Had hiv test negative at 8 days but I know not accurate now. I also had cbc .. wbc 10.7 high, Hgb low 13.5, hct low39.9%, rdw high 15.5%, segs high 77.2%,:lymphocytes low 12.4%, segs-bands # high 8.2, lymphocytes 1.3 k/cmm normal. Would any of this indicates primary hiv infection this was done 7 days post possible exposure. Everyone tells me there's no chance but wracked with anxiety. Please help.

[salsajas1]

Please someone answer this.

[Jeff G]

You did not have a risk for HIV from getting cuts and scratches while working working with an HIV positive person . HIV is far to fragile to be transmittd in that manner and if HIV were that easy to transmit the whole world would be positive by now . No one has ever been infected in that manner and you will not be first .

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together.

To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Although you did not have a risk and do not need to test for this specific incident , anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

[salsajas1]

Thanks Jeff, so it wouldn't matter if his cuts or scratches were fresh.  No visible blood.   Thanks.

[Jeff G]

Thanks Jeff, so it wouldn't matter if his cuts or scratches were fresh.  No visible blood.   Thanks.

No ... it would not matter . You can do ANYTHING with or around HIV positive person that you can or would do with an HIV negative person .

Its common sense things like refraining from having unprotected anal and vaginal sex and not sharing IV drug rigs . If you had a deep major wound and an HIV positive person had the same and fresh dripping blood right from the source got into your wound then it could be a problem ... and that rarely ever happens in the real world so its not a concern .