Nursing Students General Students
Published
Hello fellow nurses and students!
So in clinical yesterday and today we were giving flu and pneumonia shots (it's my first semester). One patient, who we later found out TODAY (after doing a bed and brief change and flu shot on) has AIDS. Yesterday before giving him the shot I took his temp and pulse--no gloves. He was kind of drooling on himself, and some was on the hand I touched for his radial pulse. I'm positive I did it with my right hand, I always do, and yesterday I got a bad papercut on my left index finger (before contacting this patient). I don't think I would have had any contact with that hand and the saliva, and I hand sanitized after, but I'm freaking out now that we found that out. I'm not discriminating, I'm just concerned about my health. I have read it's not possible to get it from saliva, and I called my doctor to check and he didn't think I have anything to worry about, but I'm definitely still worried. Any advice??? Should I get tested just in case?
And yes, I should have worn gloves. He was out in the common area and none were available (the facility is pretty bad with sanitizer and gloves).
Thank you in advance!!