Riscos hiv

[Mar1999lu]

Good Morning. Sorry for the language, I'm not American. I'm experiencing stress in my life. I work in the lab and a small amount of centrifuged serum got into the eye. the serum is like the patient's blood, only separated. My eye was wet but I thought it was normal. But then I thought about it and reported it at work. Today will be the 9th day of pep. I'm still scared. Can anyone tell me about the risks even with pep. I apologize for the anxiety.

[CurfewX]

That is an EXTREMELY low risk event.  Any fluid that has been exposed to air loses the ability to infect almost instantly. The hospital SHOULD have tested the patient for HIV, but most people do not have HIV.  I understand why the hospital gave you PEP, because that is the protocol for a laboratory exposure, but you really should not worry about this at all.  

You should consider wearing protective eyewear in the lab to prevent these situations.

[Mar1999lu]

So in my case is it even lower due to medication? The doctor said my risk is 0.1%. I'm still afraid of getting infected.

[CurfewX]

With all due respect, your doctor just fabricated a risk number.  You do not even know if the patient is HIV+, in which case the risk is 0%.
In the entire history of HIV (40+ years), only a small number of laboratory personnel/medical professionals have ever been infected in the line of work.  Your event was not even likely a risk since the fluid was exposed to the environment.
PEP was only given to you because the hospital protocol is to do that, but you really, really do not need to worry about this event at all.

I cannot help you manage your fears and anxiety, and if you are having trouble with that, please seek the help of a professional counselor.

[Mar1999lu]

I am very sorry for my anxiety, does a higher risk need to have a lot of blood in the eye? because the eye also has blood vessels that can become infected. and it was in my lab environment. because when we ask the doctors they just say that it is low risk and the occupational doctor said that the protocol is right and that the medication I am taking is to fight the virus and they don't say anything else.

[CurfewX]

A high-risk exposure would involve blood from an infected person splashing DIRECTLY into your eye, from the patient.  You would need to stand right next to the person - not blood that is in a tube.  There is nothing more I can tell you.  You really didn't have much of a risk, if any at all.  Follow the protocol and test when they tell you to test.  You can expect to get a negative result.

[Mar1999lu]

in my case, so I shouldn't worry about it? Do you think that in this situation the PEP would be indicated or not? but, I felt it fell straight in the eye. sorry for the questions. I'm distressed. is hiv so hard to get? I'm afraid to be part of this small group of health professionals sick.

[Kirstie_MHModerator]

Hi - your questions have already been thoroughly answered regarding your risk for HIV, and we do not permit repetitive questions.  Please continue to follow the hospital's infection control process, and contact them if you have any questions.

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