Risk? Help Anyone

[needhonesthelp]

I recently had a 3 month test for HIV and HCV from a work exposure...both were negative.  Hopefully this was pretty conclusive.  Then this situation below happened to me.  I have been on edge and wonder if this could have put me at risk.  Educated thoughts are greatly appreciated......

On friday I went to my ENT doc to get an allergy test.  During the test the guy that was performing it would grab fresh needles, stick them in the allergen vials, and then put gloves on.  He grabs an alcohol soaked cotton ball in one hand and cleans off my shoulder as he is injecting these small amounts of allegens just beneath the skin causing some bleeding. They put in a row of 12 and then wait 10 min to see how it reacts.  Well, after the first row he took off his gloves and noticed I was bleeding a little still so he grabbed an alcohol cotton ball and wiped my arm w/out gloves on.  Then within a few minutes he would rub over these little bumps w/out gloves on.  I just got punctured by a needle and he is touching these areas.  Clearly this is an opening in my skin.  I don't know if he has any cuts on his fingers on anything infectious on his hands.  He could've touched infectious equipment earlier of have something himself.  I really thought it was bad form...for his sake as well as mine.  I did notice he had a bandaid on his one finger so he must have been cut in that spot.  In addition, he used a measuring ruler to measure the size of the bumps.  I don't know if this was used on someone else.  Could it be infectious just sitting on the desk..  This happened more than once and I felt like saying something.

Lastly, while I was there I saw the ENT doc because I do suffer from some heartburn.  They use a office scope to exam the sinues, throat, etc.  I'm sure this scope is cleaned properly and I don't want to question everything.  The doc entered the room and cleaned her hands.  He assistant came in w/ the scope and touched the end that goes into my nose and throat to use a defogger on the end/camera.  Why wouldn't she be wearing gloves and why wouldn't the doc wear gloves because she touched the scope too.  Hopefully the assistant cleans her hands regularly too???  Maybe I'm worrying about highly unlikely situations but it just bugs me.  

Do you think there is any risk of HCV, HIV etc from these situations I described?
Sorry for the long message...I'm just searching for answers.

[zazza]

Well, there is of course a reason why it is called obsessive compulsive disorder. We just can't help ourselves from asking those questions, right? At least you understand that you have OCD and that you need to look for help. It takes time to heal, but it is possible.

[needhonesthelp]

OK, I know you are right.  I guess having additional sense from folks that have an educated opinion on this matter does help.  I try to replay what happened in my mind and think I would have to be the most unlucky guy ever if I get sick with HIV or HCV from what happened at the ENT's office.  I guess I just what people's opinion on whether they think there is any risk at all.  Based on the what the docs office is saying, they feel confident I'm fine. Well they better hope that is the case.

As for my OCD, clearly I need to find a way to overcome that as well.  I agree with you

[zazza]

I don't know how much you know about OCD. The thing is you try to get calmed by asking this kind of questions, but they just aggrevate your worry. Also your worry that "these minor incidents at the ENT docs office should give me reason to start new concerns" is very typical for an OCD patient. You try to avoid situations which might set off your OCD. Please look for help and support. Isn't there an OCD forum on Medhelp?

[needhonesthelp]

there is no doubt that i have become obsessive lately.  every since the my work exposure 3 mos ago i evalute everything and pick up on healthcare workers using poor form.  

i had 2 viral load tests and 4 antibody test for hiv out to 3 mos, a 2 month and 3 month Hep C antibody test after the exposure at work...everything negative.  my doc thinks it would be almost impossible for something to show up now.  i have been vaccinated against hep b and know i'm fine there.

i just hope these minor incidents at the ENT docs office should give me reason to start new concerns.  i'm sure my OCD is aggravating the situation a lot.  Bottom line, could I be at any risk at all based on the description of what happened?  Even if someone had something infectious on their hands (HIV, HCV), how long could it survive if it dried?

[zazza]

Sorry, mate, but have you checked if you have OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? I have it, and I recognize your thought pattern. The detailed obsessive thoughts about risks. I suggest you check that out instead of spending time trying to make sure you are not at risk of HIV and hepatitis. OCD should be your real worry.

[needhonesthelp]

I agree, the scope would be the most important.  They have assured me that the scope gets cleaned very thoroughly and sits in a solution for 20 mins before using it.  I guess my main concern is the doc and her assistant handling the scope with their hands and not wearing gloves.  They also said they never touch anything infectious without gloves and always clean their hands before every patient.  I'd like to beleive this is true.  Hopefully cleaning hands adequately is enough??

As for the allergy test...I guess as long as the guy that touched my little injection bumps didn't have any cuts or blood on his fingers, I would be safe.  I saw him use a new clean needle in every vial and I can't imagine they would ever use a dirty needle twice.  I really don't think that happened.  I doubt he touched any infectious equipment and forgot to clean his hands because I really would like to think this office is very clean.  I guess the main concern with all this is the few incidents of not wearing gloves.  I just hope everyone had clean hands (which of course doesn't mean they're sterile).  I bet most patients wouldn't even notice what I did.  I just want 100% assurance I fine.  Maybe I need to do some further testing after these incidents.

[Bobby1952]

What I think you need to worry the most from is if they don't clean the scope properly after it is used on someone else than they use it on you. This is the way HCV and HIV could be spread. Not wearing gloves could possibly spread an infection or such but I would't worry too much about it. Recently on long Island a doctor spread HCV to several patients because he would use a needle to draw a drug from a vial to inject into a patient. Then if the patient needed more of the drug he would use the same needle to draw more of the drug from the vial. This would be ok if the patient was the only one using this vial of drugs but they weren't. If this patient had HCV it was put into the vial by doing this. Then he would use another needle to draw from the same vial to put the drug into someone else. Hense he was spreading HCV. And did to many patients.

  This is a doctor ...how stupid can you be !!!!!

Bobby
  

[needhonesthelp]

Do you think I'm at risk based on what they did.  I know the scope was properly cleaned, I saw the doc was her hands well, but I don't know about the assistant and she touched the end of the scope to defog it before it entered my nose and throat.  Later she said she cleans her hands and is careful.  Could Hep C or HIV survive if someone washed their hands well?  I don't think they touch the equipment where it has entered someone's body until it has been cleanedm because I'm sure they want to protect themselves too.

What about the guy that did my allergy test.  It seems unlikely that he would have anything infectious on his hands when he touched my raised areas from the test, but who knows.  How long could Hep C or HIV live if it is dried blood?

I'm just worried about my risks

[Wassup]

I have Hep C and cirrhosis.  Every time I go for a blood test, a dental exam, a pedicure, or anywhere that there's a chance that my blood could come in contact with that person, wether or not they have any open sores. I make certain that they are aware of the fact that my blood could cause them to become sick. I make a point of repeating that I have Hepatitus C. Sometimes I joke about it and say, my blood is like toxic waste, or that I have 'BHB', Bio-hazard blood. It really isn't a joking matter.  I size up my audience, before mouthing off. Point being, unsteralized instruments, unwashed hands, etc. etc. are all potentially dangerous. Just because you wash YOUR hands after using a public restroom doesn't mean the last one to put their hand on the door handle washed THEIR hands!  I feel like 'Monk' sometimes, (just a little) O.C.D. It's your health. You have a right to question if their equipment is sterile. Most Medical, Dental professionals will wash their hands,AND put on sterile gloves BEFORE touching any part of a patients anatomy.  You have a resonable right to expect them to do so.  If they don't listen, tell them you have Hep C and they'll even put on protective goggles and maybe a mask too.