What Are The Risks Of Developing HIV When Exposed To Blood With Abrasion?

Posted on Tue, 29 Mar 2016

Question: I went out to a costume party last night. While there, a girl I barely knew asked me if I could pull a wire out of her corset because it was jabbing her. Thinking it was like an awkward bra wire I went to assist her. The minute I grabbed what she was pointing at it stabbed me and caused my finger to bleed. I said ouch and she said sorry. She also told me it's been causing her to bleed all night. Gross! In all honesty, it got me thinking about HIV and Hep C. Please tell me what are some legitimate concerns that I should have?

Answered by Dr. Saad Sultan (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
confirm her status and proceed

Detailed Answer:
Welcome at HCM
I am Dr Saad Sultan and will be answering your query. I have gone through your query and being your physician I completely understand your health concerns.
There are chances for one to get infected in needle stick injuries. It is important first to establish the status of other person. If she is positive for any of these then you should meet your doctor. There is need to use antiviral drugs for four weeks if she is HIV positive.
Generally, one should get antibody testing like anti HCV , HBAsg after one month of exposure. And for HIV , these antiHIV antibodies testing should be delayed till month and be repeated after one month. One should get repeated testing at three months time as a confirmatory measure.
Negative results at that time are quite assuring.
Hope your query is adequately addressed if you still have any feel free to ask.
Regards
Dr Saad Sultan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Saad Sultan (13 hours later)

I have no idea who she is so I wouldn't be able to find out if she has anything. I
went to ER and they tested my blood but said since I couldn't confirm any disease that I would have to wait for results. Should I request pep treatment? Doesn't that have very bad side effects...I'm not sure what to do

Answered by Dr. Saad Sultan (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
wait for the test results

Detailed Answer:
welcome at HCM
I appreciate your follow up
In my opinion you should wait for your results to come. Apart from it, it is wise to wait for a month since human body takes time to form antibodies in blood which can be used for testing .After one month test yourself for HEPATITIS B ( HBV) by checking the HBAsg antigen , HUMAN IMMUNODEFICENCY VIRUS (HIV ) by ANTI HIV antibodies and HEPATITIS C VIRUS (HCV) by Anti HCV antibodies.. In light of results of these tests we will be able to proceed.
If the results come negative then you should not be worried about it. if any one comes positive then management is tailored according the virus.
Hope your query is addressed.
If you have any query fell free to ask directly by mentioning my name.
Regards
Dr XXXXXXX sulltan

Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar