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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is HIV Possible Through The Cut On The Finger?

I work in a ER as a nurse and I was concenred about a fresh cut i sustained while at work. The tricky thing is I do not know how i sustained the cut. Last thing i remembered doing was removing a pt's IV (which is a piece of plastic), removed my gloves, went to use the alcohol based hand sanitizer and noticed my left thumb was burning! I looked and saw what appeared like a flap of skin hanging with some dried blood around it, I lifted the skin to reveal a pink area with a small open cut, and it hurt! So I panicked. What did I cut myself on! Prior to removing this IV I gave the same pt some liquid medication which has a foil coving over the cup. I had a hard time opening it so I ended up puncturing the medicine cup with my thumb to open it (since I have been racking my brain so much around it I'm cofusing myself, so I cannot remember if it was my right or left thumb is used to puncture the cup). It did nt make sense because the foil is so fragile i didnt think it could cause a slice to my finger causing me to apparently bleed. I immediately washed my hands and reported it but my supervisor did seem as concerned as I. Prior to this I have started an IV (3 attempts) and drew blood simutaenously. I don't recall exposing myself to the needle since my injury is more of a slice than a prick. But I'm concerned about HIV risk and any other infection since I work in the ED...its filthy and sometimes you never know all of the pts history. This is making me nervous because my cut was apparently fresh and bleeding. Help
Mon, 1 Sep 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello
Since you are a nurse and working in E R and E D so I am trying to mention in detail for your information.
Occupational transmission of HIV :HEALTH & LABORATORY WORKERS.
There is a small , but definite , occupational risk of HIV transmission to health care workers and lab. personnel and potentially others who works with HIV containing materials , particularly when sharp objects are used.

Large multi-institutional studies have indicated that the risk of HIV transmission following skin puncture from a needle or a sharp object that was CONTAMINATED with blood from a person with documented HIV infection is less than 0.3% & after a mucous membrane exposure it is 0.09%( in your case your thumb got injury due to foil of vial or amp. so need not to worry ).
In your case in my opinion there is NO CHANCE of getting any HIV infection by you.
Further study , you can see in a test book "HARRISON'S "principles of internal medicine on page no 1081 16th edition chapter no 173 .
But you are HIV free according to your query.
Good luck .
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Is HIV Possible Through The Cut On The Finger?

Hello Since you are a nurse and working in E R and E D so I am trying to mention in detail for your information. Occupational transmission of HIV :HEALTH & LABORATORY WORKERS. There is a small , but definite , occupational risk of HIV transmission to health care workers and lab. personnel and potentially others who works with HIV containing materials , particularly when sharp objects are used. Large multi-institutional studies have indicated that the risk of HIV transmission following skin puncture from a needle or a sharp object that was CONTAMINATED with blood from a person with documented HIV infection is less than 0.3% & after a mucous membrane exposure it is 0.09%( in your case your thumb got injury due to foil of vial or amp. so need not to worry ). In your case in my opinion there is NO CHANCE of getting any HIV infection by you. Further study , you can see in a test book HARRISON S principles of internal medicine on page no 1081 16th edition chapter no 173 . But you are HIV free according to your query. Good luck .