Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Super stressed out

Here is my story can't believe it can happen in US. I recently went to my Dr for regular check-up, as routine nurse came in to check my blood sugar. She first wiped my finger with alcohol, took new lancet and pricked by finger, cleaned 1st drop of blood with gauze,pressed my by finger for 2nd drop of blood and then used diabetes strip to check my sugar. Once done I realized she was not wearing gloves. Hola there my anxiety kicked in and now am worried I might have contracted hep or hiv wondering if she had any open wounds on her fingers that she used to squeeze blood out.

Looking for expert opinion.
1 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
20620809 tn?1504362969
  This is the usual scenario we hear from those with blood fear anxieties. If you have spent any time here reading, and I suspect you have, then you know that the only ways that adults get HIV is unprotected vaginal or anal sex (with penetration) or sharing IV drug needles.  (IV drug needles are not needles sticks, they are filled and injected into people, not just a poke).  So, that the nurse didn't have gloves on would NOT transmit HIV.  Not a risk in the slightest.  HIV is inactivated in air.  
Helpful - 0
8 Comments
Thank you so much yes I have read a lot on this forum but your confirmation means a lot.

So basically zero risk and I can on with my life and am not putting my lovely wife at risk.
And to further ignore my anxiety developed an intertrigo task under armpit,  crazy mind started connecting the dots hiv risk and rash.

I have to thank you all for doing this job and helping people with anxiety.
You said  basically no risk. The reality is it is totally no risk.
Hello again, so sorry to bother you guys again. I have a rash in my armpit the dermatologist said it's intertrigo. Never had this before. Should I be concerned as this could be one of ars related symptoms? Based in my exposure. When I read about intertrigo it days one possible risk factor is weakend immune system HIV.

Will very much appreciate a response from experts. Promise not to post any more.
Your situation involves personal contact with an object in air  (needle, blood,  gloves etc. which is not a risk for hiv.) No worries, because you can't get hiv from personal contact except unprotected penetrating vaginal or anal, neither of which you did and you didn't share hollow needles to inject with which is the only other way to acquire hiv. Analysis of large numbers of infected people over the 40 years of hiv history has proven that people don't get hiv in the way you are worried is a risk.
HIV is a fragile virus in air or saliva and is effectively instantly dead in either air or saliva so the worst that could happen is dead virus rubbed you, and obviously anything which is dead cannot live again so you are good. Blood and cuts would not be relevant in your situation since the hiv has become effectively dead, so you don't have to worry about them to be sure that you are safe.
There is no reason for a person to test when they are safe. The advice took into consideration that the other person might be positive, so move on and enjoy life instead of thinking about this non-event. Next time you wonder if you had a risk ask yourself if you did any of the 3, then after you say "Nope", it is time to move on back to your happy life.
Thank you so much the potential contact is freshly punctured pricked lancet site with blood from nurse hand since she did not wore gloves. Assuming still the same recommendations holds true from you.

I could not thank you all enough for tremendous service you all do. God bless you all.
Just ask yourself the above question, and you won't have to assume anything so can move back to your happy life without any worries.
And the answer is NO to unprotected vaginal or anal and drug use
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community

Top HIV Answerers
366749 tn?1544695265
Karachi, Pakistan
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
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.