Published
Hello,
I am a medical assistant going to school for nursing. While I was working I accidentally picked up a dirty suction tip with my bare hands thinking it was clean. When I looked down I noticed two drops of blood on my index finger. I immediately washed it off, sanitized my hands, and later washed with soap and water. I checked for cuts or "openings" and I didn't see anything. This was not a sharp object and I was not poked. I didn't think anything of it and let it go. A week later I came down with a cold. That's when I started to freak out. I went to my jobs health department and reported the incident. I was told that this was not a true exposure and my symptoms have nothing to do with what happened. I was also told no testing was not warranted for me or the patient. They even told me there recommendation would not have changed even if I would of reported it and came in right when it happened. The patient has no blood born diseases listed in his chart but I am still so worried mostly because I am still sick (2 weeks now) and the definition of intact skin is so broad. What is considered a transmissible cut or opening? I mean I have creases in my hands and normal dry skin? Also, if hiv dies once exposed to oxygen would it still be the case if it drops out of a suction tip/a tube shaped metal syringe? Or would that be a closed tight enough space for it to survive. It was a pretty decent sized suction tip used to clear a nose bleed. I was hoping I could get some advice from the professionals who actually work in the field and who may have stories of their own to maybe help comfort me? Sorry if I sound crazy or uneducated it's the internet that has really put me on edge. Thank you.