Aa
Immunizations
Hi Doctor.
For whatever reason, I seem to be having concerns regarding my son and trying to protect him. I'd like to blame it on being post-partum, but it's a year later....so I am sure its just severe first time mom syndrome.
My son got his vaccinations today (1 year) and the nurse did not put on any gloves. She did use purell before hand. At first, I was like eh,they are for her protection but then I start getting concerned if she had a cut on her hand would it put my son at risk for any blood borne pathogens. She did rub his leg after the vaccine (which is what has me worried)
I did not see any actively bleeding wounds on her, I will say that. And I checked my sons socks where she was holding his leg down and no blood on them either, so my guess is she didn't have an open wound. Not to mention the blood from her would have to get exactly in the tiny needle hole where his skin was broken...but with this all being said, I can't seem to calm my nerves.
Please help.
For whatever reason, I seem to be having concerns regarding my son and trying to protect him. I'd like to blame it on being post-partum, but it's a year later....so I am sure its just severe first time mom syndrome.
My son got his vaccinations today (1 year) and the nurse did not put on any gloves. She did use purell before hand. At first, I was like eh,they are for her protection but then I start getting concerned if she had a cut on her hand would it put my son at risk for any blood borne pathogens. She did rub his leg after the vaccine (which is what has me worried)
I did not see any actively bleeding wounds on her, I will say that. And I checked my sons socks where she was holding his leg down and no blood on them either, so my guess is she didn't have an open wound. Not to mention the blood from her would have to get exactly in the tiny needle hole where his skin was broken...but with this all being said, I can't seem to calm my nerves.
Please help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This information doesn't change my opinion or advice: no risk at all. As you probably understand, that you "rationally" understand the factual risks yet still "cannot shake this worry" is typical for (and evidence of) an emotional disorder. I hope you have established ongoing care with the therapist. Also, I believe there are medications that might be helpful and would be safe in pregnancy, especially beyond the first 3 months. Therefore, I urge you to also discuss this with your obstetrician so that s/he and the therapist can coordinate your management.
Hi Doctor,
Thank you for your time. This is the only disease, I seem to be in great fear of and I did heed your advice and saw a therapist this morning.
As follow up, does it matter that she touched his wound before she put the gloves on? If she had a healing cut?
Obviously, I'm being over paranoid. Rationally, I understand that I would have noticed if she was bleeding all over him, but I just can't shake this worry.
The doctor and I talked about meds, but I'm currently pregnant, so that's out of the question for now.
I truly appreciate your time and response
Thank you for your time. This is the only disease, I seem to be in great fear of and I did heed your advice and saw a therapist this morning.
As follow up, does it matter that she touched his wound before she put the gloves on? If she had a healing cut?
Obviously, I'm being over paranoid. Rationally, I understand that I would have noticed if she was bleeding all over him, but I just can't shake this worry.
The doctor and I talked about meds, but I'm currently pregnant, so that's out of the question for now.
I truly appreciate your time and response
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the forum.
I reviewed your discussion with Dr. Hook a couple of months ago. The situation described here carries no more risk for HIV or other blood-borne infections than the one described to Dr. Hook.
The main reason health care providers use latex gloves for certain kinds of patient contact is not to protect the patient from infections the provider may have. It is to protect the provider from the patient! And it is not standard medical practice anyway to wear gloves when giving injections; I don't do it myself. Even if the nurse happened to have HIV (which is exceedigly unllikely, as you probably realize), or if another patient with HIV had recently been in the office, there is absolutely no risk to your child. Don't worry about it.
First time mom or not, the concerns you have expressed here and last February are pretty far out -- really not normal, I would say. If you find yourself obsessing about HIV other infections in your child, I'm concerned it could be a sign of a significant psychological disorder. If you have any doubt about it, I would recommend you discuss it with your personal physician, or perhaps your son's pediatrician. I suggest it from compassion, not criticism.
I hope these comments have been helpful. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
I reviewed your discussion with Dr. Hook a couple of months ago. The situation described here carries no more risk for HIV or other blood-borne infections than the one described to Dr. Hook.
The main reason health care providers use latex gloves for certain kinds of patient contact is not to protect the patient from infections the provider may have. It is to protect the provider from the patient! And it is not standard medical practice anyway to wear gloves when giving injections; I don't do it myself. Even if the nurse happened to have HIV (which is exceedigly unllikely, as you probably realize), or if another patient with HIV had recently been in the office, there is absolutely no risk to your child. Don't worry about it.
First time mom or not, the concerns you have expressed here and last February are pretty far out -- really not normal, I would say. If you find yourself obsessing about HIV other infections in your child, I'm concerned it could be a sign of a significant psychological disorder. If you have any doubt about it, I would recommend you discuss it with your personal physician, or perhaps your son's pediatrician. I suggest it from compassion, not criticism.
I hope these comments have been helpful. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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