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Hi Doctor, As You Might Have Known About My Case:

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Posted on Mon, 14 Oct 2019
Question: Hi doctor,
As you might have known about my case: almost 2 months ago, when I was having a blood test at STD clinic in Amsterdam, I noticed small spec of dried blood ( a size of pen dot or full stop of the sentence ".") on the Tube Holder (one between the needle and vacutainer tube). I used my right-hand nail to scrub it off (it was the most stupid thing to do, and that I have regretted this all the time with great anxiety). Upon request, the nurse used alcohol to clean the inside of the tube holder before drawing my blood (because I was having anxiety for pathogen), but some spots still remained inside. Then I had my blood drawn with new needle and new tube.
On the way back my left hand scratch the back of my ear resulting in scratching dried wound with scrab of dried blood (my own). I don't know where the dried blood on my right-hand nail had come into contact with my left-hand before I scratch my dried wound. Being more specific, my dried wound at the back of my ear does not come from injury but rather dried skin I supposed as I lived in Amsterdam. So I am worried that this might lead to infection of Blood bourne disease. Later around 7 weeks, I checked for HIV, HBV, and HCV: all are negative. But HTLV 1/2 is what I have not checked. What are the risk and the window period for this route of transmission? Because I read that the seroconversion period is varied in HTLV. How sure it is if I got a negative result after 2 months ( that's what I'm planning to do)? I'm sorry to write in this long description but so far doctors here do not have much knowledge about this disease.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Regarding HTLV

Detailed Answer:
Hello. welcome back.
I have gone through your query and noted your concern.
The window period of an antibody based test for HTLV is 2 months. Anyways, dried blood doesn't pose any risk of HTLV transmission. So, I dont think that you would have got it on your hand from scratching dried blood and then passed it on your left hand before scratching the wound with your left hand.
Take care. Let me know if you need any more assistance.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)
Thank you very much doctor. I'm pretty sure that the dried blood was on my right-hand nail after scrubbing, but it's gone before I used my left hand to scratch. That's why I am afraid for the route of transmission.
Would negative result of HIV,HBV and HCV at 7 weeks be reliable given the case? Also would negative result of HTLV at 2 months be reliable enough? Given my case.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Regarding screening test reliability

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
My answer is yes to both of the questions. This is because a 3-4 week window post exposure is a good enough time for a test to be interpreted reliably for HIV, HBV and HCV. For HTLV it is 2 months.
Take care.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9611 Questions

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Hi Doctor, As You Might Have Known About My Case:

Brief Answer: Regarding HTLV Detailed Answer: Hello. welcome back. I have gone through your query and noted your concern. The window period of an antibody based test for HTLV is 2 months. Anyways, dried blood doesn't pose any risk of HTLV transmission. So, I dont think that you would have got it on your hand from scratching dried blood and then passed it on your left hand before scratching the wound with your left hand. Take care. Let me know if you need any more assistance.