Can HIV Be Contracted From A Test Tube's Broken Shards Piercing One's Skin?

Posted on Mon, 6 Nov 2023

Question: I work in a lab. A test tube containing frozen whole blood had broken on the floor. A very very tiny piece of glass pierced my big toe. risk of hiv?

Answered by Dr. Dr Manjunath Metri (7 minutes later)

Nope. But make sure you test that blood for HIV.. Hit thanks button..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr Manjunath Metri (9 minutes later)

If the blood was hiv positive would I be at risk then?

Answered by Dr. Dr Manjunath Metri (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Very minimal risk..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic..

Please note..

1. No, there is very minimal chance.
Hence do not worry..

2. The glass piece should have caused you wound and should have bled to worry a little bit.

3. We have seen many such cases, do not worry.
You are fine.

4. Better get an hiv test for that blood If possible.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Dr Manjunath Metri (1 hour later)

yes the wound was something like a lancet wound - finger prick wound.

Answered by Dr. Dr Manjunath Metri (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, then better to test that blood..

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for getting back..

Please note..

1. Please do hiv of that blood or if you know the details, get hold of the patient whose blood was spilled there and get his hiv done.
Also HBsAg I suggest...

2. If negative, then do not worry..

3. If it's positive then we should start you on post exposure prophylaxis..

Take care..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr Manjunath Metri (1 hour later)

The tube was discarded and the patient is from a different country. the patient is part of a clinical trial and the clinical trial he is part of excludes people with known history of hiv and hep b and c from the study. so i am pretty positive the blood is without hiv and hep b and c. what are your thoughts?

Answered by Dr. Dr Manjunath Metri (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Then you need not worry..

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome back..

Yes, if what you told the given scenario is true then yes even I think that you should not worry..

Hope this helps..
In case you need further assistance, please contact me back..

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng