These may be really stupid questions but I’m curious if I am at risk for HIV. I work in a correctional facility and Had two occasions where I came in to contact with an inmates blood.
1. This inmate was covered in bloody clothes. I changed him into a new uniform and discarded the old one in bio bag. I had gloves on while doing this.
2. I had gloves on as well. An inmate needed to get his blood sugar tested. The nurse pricked his finger and took his sugar. When I took him back to his cell I un cuffed him. My hands never touched his finger when removing the handcuffs. After I did that I took my gloves off briefly and had to put them back on, but I put them on inside out. I don’t remember touching the blood but am really worried because I don’t know if the guy was hiv positive and I also had a small cut on my hand.
Given these two occasions, what are the chances of contracting HIV? I have some health anxiety and it has been worrying me for weeks. Thank you
The risks for HIV have not changed. The only risks for HIV in adults are:
1) Having unprotected anal or vaginal sex, or
2) sharing intravenous needles with IV drug users.
You CANNOT get HIV from touching anyone, or anything, ever.
I'm sure you know the meaning of only so it is time to move on. If you watch a professional sport you will see lots of bloody people from collisions but none of them gets hiv.
There are only 2, so no need to worry if there are 3.
That's correct. You can not get HIV from another person's blood in your had if you have a small cut. Air inactivates the virus and this would not transmit it.