Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Nurse, Accidentally Pricked Myself While Preparing Used Lancet Of A Patient Infected With Viral Hepatitis. Suggestion?

Hi, I m a nurse, 25 y/o. Last week, I was preparing my patient s lancet and was about to prick him for his blood glucose monitoring when I accidentally pricked myself instead. I didn t notice I was holding the lancet backwards and so I pricked my index finger after pushing the releasing button. I asked the patient if the lancet he gave me was new and said it has been used once, a few hours ago. My patient has diabetes and has jaundice . He was tested for Hepatitis B ( HbsAg ) last week which came out non-reactive, but he s still being considered as having Viral Hepatitis. Is there a possibility of me getting infected with whatever hepatitis virus the patient has after a lancet prick? What should I do? Should I get tested?
posted on Thu, 20 Dec 2012
Twitter Thu, 20 Dec 2012 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 28 Dec 2012 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello, welcome to HCM, I am Dr. Das.
Firstly, hepatitis viruses can not get transmitted through needle prick injury, except hepatitis B.

As the patient was found to be non reactive, then you have low chance of getting the infection.

But, you have to be tested for hepatitis B at the end of 3 month. If that is also negative, then you have nothing to worry about.

Regards.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Hepatitis


Loading Online Doctors....
Nurse, Accidentally Pricked Myself While Preparing Used Lancet Of A Patient Infected With Viral Hepatitis. Suggestion?

Hello, welcome to HCM, I am Dr. Das. Firstly, hepatitis viruses can not get transmitted through needle prick injury, except hepatitis B. As the patient was found to be non reactive, then you have low chance of getting the infection. But, you have to be tested for hepatitis B at the end of 3 month. If that is also negative, then you have nothing to worry about. Regards.