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What Are The Chances Of HIV Transmission Through Needle Prick Injury?
Question: Hi doc a clean needle penetrated my glove which had had a slight amount of patient blood who is ,hep C and HIV Positive and stuck my thumb .i squeezed out blood from the prick site and cleaned it with alcohol ,.is there a any risk of. Contracting hiv or hep C ,?
Brief Answer:
there is a small risk unfortunately
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Unfortunately there is a risk of transmission of these infections but this risk can be reduced.The risk of transmission of hep c (and hep b) is greater than HIV. His hep b status may need to be established if it is not already known.
There is a protocol that is generally used for needle stick injury to reduce the chance of infection transmission. It would require you to see infection control or health clinic at your institution
This usual protocol includes: (1)A blood test to establish and document the injured person's status.
This is important so that the individual can be shown to be clear before the stick occurred
Blood tests are repeated at 4 weeks and 12 weeks to make sure that a person is clear for HIV.
(2) Medication for HIV is started within 2 HOURS optimally. Even if this time has passed, you should start medications
The combination recommended is tenofovir and emitricitabine and raltegravir but this can vary at institutions
(3)where hep b status is not certain, the injured person is started on hep b vaccination if not previously vaccinated
This prevents transmission by up to 70% to 90% if started within 12 to 24 hour
(4)currently there are no meds used to prevent HCV but follow up bloods are needed in week 4.
This is HCV (hep C) RNA blood tests along with liver function tests, this is repeated in week 12 and 24.
Avoid alcohol and any medications that may be dangerous to the liver.
Some persons who have hep c have spontaneous improvement on its own however it may be best to see a gastroenterologist who may suggest treatment if it is found eg interferon
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
there is a small risk unfortunately
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Unfortunately there is a risk of transmission of these infections but this risk can be reduced.The risk of transmission of hep c (and hep b) is greater than HIV. His hep b status may need to be established if it is not already known.
There is a protocol that is generally used for needle stick injury to reduce the chance of infection transmission. It would require you to see infection control or health clinic at your institution
This usual protocol includes: (1)A blood test to establish and document the injured person's status.
This is important so that the individual can be shown to be clear before the stick occurred
Blood tests are repeated at 4 weeks and 12 weeks to make sure that a person is clear for HIV.
(2) Medication for HIV is started within 2 HOURS optimally. Even if this time has passed, you should start medications
The combination recommended is tenofovir and emitricitabine and raltegravir but this can vary at institutions
(3)where hep b status is not certain, the injured person is started on hep b vaccination if not previously vaccinated
This prevents transmission by up to 70% to 90% if started within 12 to 24 hour
(4)currently there are no meds used to prevent HCV but follow up bloods are needed in week 4.
This is HCV (hep C) RNA blood tests along with liver function tests, this is repeated in week 12 and 24.
Avoid alcohol and any medications that may be dangerous to the liver.
Some persons who have hep c have spontaneous improvement on its own however it may be best to see a gastroenterologist who may suggest treatment if it is found eg interferon
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
some persons clear the hep c on their own
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry about the delayed reply
The risk of HIV transmission is lowest at 0.3%, the risk of hep b transmission is 1.8 to 30% depending on activity of the hep b, risk of hep c is 2 to 10%.
Unfortunately the immune globulin and anti viral meds have not been found useful for hep c needle stick injury.
Bloods are done initially and at 4 weeks then repeated again
Even if found at 4 weeks, doctors may only monitor because the infection may clear on its own in 6 to 12 weeks
Some persons do go on to have chronic liver disease however but quite a few just clear the infection from their system on their own.
It would be best to start having the bloods done
Please feel free to ask anything else
some persons clear the hep c on their own
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry about the delayed reply
The risk of HIV transmission is lowest at 0.3%, the risk of hep b transmission is 1.8 to 30% depending on activity of the hep b, risk of hep c is 2 to 10%.
Unfortunately the immune globulin and anti viral meds have not been found useful for hep c needle stick injury.
Bloods are done initially and at 4 weeks then repeated again
Even if found at 4 weeks, doctors may only monitor because the infection may clear on its own in 6 to 12 weeks
Some persons do go on to have chronic liver disease however but quite a few just clear the infection from their system on their own.
It would be best to start having the bloods done
Please feel free to ask anything else
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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