Aa
HIV from specimen
Dear doctor:
I am a technician in an anatomical pathology lab. One month ago, two episodes happened.
1. After processing a lung specimen, I noticed a hole on my glove. There was a small non-bleeding wound on my index finger, caused by biting nails. Should I worry about the transmission of HIV or HCV if the wound was exposed to the blood or other fluid from the specimen?
2. One day, I noticed a superfical non-bleeding painless wound on my index finger after coming home. The wound was about 1 cm. I did not even feel getting cut during processing specimens during the last days. But I could not remember getting cut in other places, either. Should I worry about the potential needle injury? Should I get tested?
The specimens were not fixed in formalin in our pathology lab. Instead, they were put into a refrigerator for a couple of minutes or hours before I processed them.
Thank you!!
I am a technician in an anatomical pathology lab. One month ago, two episodes happened.
1. After processing a lung specimen, I noticed a hole on my glove. There was a small non-bleeding wound on my index finger, caused by biting nails. Should I worry about the transmission of HIV or HCV if the wound was exposed to the blood or other fluid from the specimen?
2. One day, I noticed a superfical non-bleeding painless wound on my index finger after coming home. The wound was about 1 cm. I did not even feel getting cut during processing specimens during the last days. But I could not remember getting cut in other places, either. Should I worry about the potential needle injury? Should I get tested?
The specimens were not fixed in formalin in our pathology lab. Instead, they were put into a refrigerator for a couple of minutes or hours before I processed them.
Thank you!!
Really? Two more questions:
1. Is there risk for infection if the superficial nonbleeding wound was caused by knife cut during large specimen processing?(such as lung, liver,...). The blood is not dried. Would HIV in undried blood on the knife be transmitted via cut?
2. There are small vessels in dermis. Would HIV be transmitted via a cut into dermis? Or did it need a deeper cut into larger vessels?
1. Is there risk for infection if the superficial nonbleeding wound was caused by knife cut during large specimen processing?(such as lung, liver,...). The blood is not dried. Would HIV in undried blood on the knife be transmitted via cut?
2. There are small vessels in dermis. Would HIV be transmitted via a cut into dermis? Or did it need a deeper cut into larger vessels?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
