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Barber With An Open Wound Cut My Hair. I Am Having No Cuts In Head. Any Need To Take PEP?
Hello Dr,
I went to a barber today and noticed he has an open wound on his hand (finger). He is my normal stylist. he shampooed my hair twice and I asked him to put band aid on the wound. So he covered it with 2-3 bad aids. He told me the wound was from either this morning or yesterday morning (at least 5-6 hours ago). I didn't find any cuts on my head but I have dry Scalp so sometimes it may bleed after scratching so much. I am worried and I wanted to know if I need to do anything like taking PEP. Please advise.
Thanks
I went to a barber today and noticed he has an open wound on his hand (finger). He is my normal stylist. he shampooed my hair twice and I asked him to put band aid on the wound. So he covered it with 2-3 bad aids. He told me the wound was from either this morning or yesterday morning (at least 5-6 hours ago). I didn't find any cuts on my head but I have dry Scalp so sometimes it may bleed after scratching so much. I am worried and I wanted to know if I need to do anything like taking PEP. Please advise.
Thanks
Wed, 4 Dec 2013
Hi,
As you are not sure about scratches on your scalp and any contact with his blood, It will better for you to take Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
To be effective, PEP must begin within 72 hours of exposure, before the virus has time to make too many copies of itself in your body. PEP consists of 2-3 antiretroviral medications and should be taken for 28 days. Your doctor will determine what treatment is right for you based on how you were exposed to HIV. He/She may look for any other disease.
PEP is not 100% effective; it does not guarantee that someone exposed to HIV will not become infected with HIV.
Regards
As you are not sure about scratches on your scalp and any contact with his blood, It will better for you to take Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
To be effective, PEP must begin within 72 hours of exposure, before the virus has time to make too many copies of itself in your body. PEP consists of 2-3 antiretroviral medications and should be taken for 28 days. Your doctor will determine what treatment is right for you based on how you were exposed to HIV. He/She may look for any other disease.
PEP is not 100% effective; it does not guarantee that someone exposed to HIV will not become infected with HIV.
Regards
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