Aa
hep c transmission?
yesterday, while fixing the lines of a dialysis pt, i accidentally open one of the ports and blood went straight to my hands. i was not wearing any gloves(unfortunately) and the pt is hep c positive. i dont have any open wounds in my hand. i wash my hands w/ bleach and antimicrobial soap right away. my question is am i in danger of having the disease? i did not get pricked w/the needle but i was expose w/the pts blood.
HCV doesn’t transmit readily via the situation you describe. However, if you’re a health care worker, and are frequently exposed to biohazards such as medical sharps, it might be wise to periodically test for blood borne diseases such as HCV/HIV .
If you are in question of occupational exposure, report the incident to your supervisor so appropriate pre and post exposure prophylaxis measures can be taken.
Good luck,
Bill
If you are in question of occupational exposure, report the incident to your supervisor so appropriate pre and post exposure prophylaxis measures can be taken.
Good luck,
Bill
No cuts means no way for the virus to enter the bloodstream hence no exposure. I'm surprised you didn't learn that in your medical training.
Here's an interesting story about exposure. My husband and I were in a very bad car wreck about 6 years ago and both of us were bleeding quite badly. Our hands were covered with blood due to the bleeding wounds on our arms and hands. We held hands in the ER while waiting to be sent for a CT scan. There is no doubt in my mind he was exposed to my infected blood (did not know I had hepc at the time) and he does not have hepc. My point is even if there are cuts and blood is exchanged it does not mean the virus will enter the bloodstream so in your case with the absence of wounds I see no need for concern.
Trinity
Here's an interesting story about exposure. My husband and I were in a very bad car wreck about 6 years ago and both of us were bleeding quite badly. Our hands were covered with blood due to the bleeding wounds on our arms and hands. We held hands in the ER while waiting to be sent for a CT scan. There is no doubt in my mind he was exposed to my infected blood (did not know I had hepc at the time) and he does not have hepc. My point is even if there are cuts and blood is exchanged it does not mean the virus will enter the bloodstream so in your case with the absence of wounds I see no need for concern.
Trinity
i OPENED it accidentally cause i was absent minded and it was not clamped when i opened it. i was about to change the transducers when it happened.
Dialysis lines have three ports. One on the arterial like and one on the venous line....both are right on the machine. The third port is used to inject heparin and it hangs from a skinny tube right below the machine. All three ports have caps screwed on and CLAMPED and all are away from the patient. It would be impossible to open them "accidentally"..
Want to change your story?
Co
Want to change your story?
Co
The infected blood needs to get into your blood stream. If you did not have a cut, or open wound highly doubtful. But for complete peace of mind, and so you don't keep asking yourself the question, get tested.
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