please help me.

[plshelpmeout]

Last night I got injury in my toe. It was late night and we found only one health care centre opened, I am from rural area. There i was told that my wound needs to be stitched. They stitched my wound and i felt too much pain. My concern is about their process. They just brought a half moon shaped needle from a tray i asked whether it is clean or not. They dropped isopropyl alcohol on that and said now it is ok. Do i have any matter to worry regarding hiv, hep B, hep C

[Jeff G]

You didn't have a risk . The type needles associated with HIV infections are hollow bore needles like the ones IV drug users use , not pins or needles like surgeons use to suture a wound  . HIV is fragile and cannot survive outside the human body and is instantly rendered unable to infect when exposed to oxygen , the alcohol would be effective as a disinfectant in this incident also .   

There are far too many factors that makes this a no risk incident to list and you can rely on the fact you didn't have a risk and move on .   

[plshelpmeout]

Thanks for your reply. Will you please tell me regarding HEP B & HEP C. I know this forum is for hiv only. But  Please tell me about hepatitis. I am not getting information from anywhere. As i searched over internet, i found that isopropyl alcohol is not able to kill hepatitis virus. Please help me.

[Ann]

pls,

If you're worried about the hygiene practices at the hospital you were treated at, you'll have to go and ask them.

You're right - we only really deal with hiv here and you were not at risk for hiv in the situation you're worried about.

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 DO NOT NEED TO TEST FOR HIV AFTER GETTING YOUR TOE STITCHED, 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!

Ann

[plshelpmeout]

Thanks for the reply. I am from India. I myself visited there for medicines and asked the attended about it. He said here every thing is clean & clear. Definitely one would say so, and i told what happened there. It may be that he is right, but what i should do from my side?
As you told about HIV that's fine.
Will you please tell about HEPATITIS .
Or please tell me from where i can get information about it. As i unable to find information.
I have taken vaccine for hep b before 8 months. Means i am immune regarding hep b but what about hep c.

[Ann]

pls,

If you are worried about hepatitis, you'll have to test for it. The hospital you went to is hardly going to be in the business of putting patients in danger of hepatitis infection.

Ann

[Jeff G]

Thanks for the reply. I am from India. I myself visited there for medicines and asked the attended about it. He said here every thing is clean & clear. Definitely one would say so, and i told what happened there. It may be that he is right, but what i should do from my side?
As you told about HIV that's fine.
Will you please tell about HEPATITIS .
Or please tell me from where i can get information about it. As i unable to find information.
I have taken vaccine for hep b before 8 months. Means i am immune regarding hep b but what about hep c.

The only way to know if your are positive for ANY infection is to test at the appropriate time , other than that there is little we can do to relieve your anxiety for what appears to more paranoia than a valid concern . Best of luck .