Is is possible to get AIDS from saliva in a papercut??? Help!

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  1. Is there cause for concern?

    • 1
      Yes
    • 9
      No

10 members have participated

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!!

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I feel the need to warn you immediately. At the grocery store, at Target, when you go to the mall, anywhere----there are people with AIDS!!!!!!!! Watch out!!!

Educate yourself on transmission.

You already called your physician. Now you're coming here for medical advice? I don't even think that's allowed, but besides that, your doctor said no! You think he is lying to you???

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How did you get through your pre-reqs for nursing school without being educated on HIV transmission? You should know that what your physician told you is absolutely correct. If you don't feel comfortable with his answer, seek a second opinion from an infectious disease doctor...this is hardly the forum for that! Best of luck.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

My advice is to take a deep breath, maybe a Xanax or two, and get back to studying.

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I wonder who voted yes? They're obvi just trying to scare yah... Lol.

Relax.

You will be okay.

Take out your notes from prereqs. I think you may need a refresher.... Lol ... (KIDDING) ... but seriously...

Deep breaths... [=

Your doctor said "No" already, if you seriously don't trust him/her ... then get a second opinion.

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I understand there are people with AIDs. Thank you though. And further, we haven't even talked about it yet and I just wanted be sure. I am unfamiliar with the disease and was just asking. Just because it's a pretty bad thing to have. Thank you everyone for being so helpful...

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Specializes in Emergency.

The first question you need to ask yourself, "Does this patient have HIV or AIDS?" because the two are completely different. If you think otherwise, choose a different profession.

The second question that you need to ask yourself, "Does saliva contain the virus? If so, how much?" or "Does saliva kill the virus?"

Honestly, the way you are making AIDS sounds, it sounds like you are completely​ uneducated on microbiology.

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If your paper-cut didn't extend subcutaneously, and this guy didn't have hemoptysis, don't worry. But you could ask HR to have workers' comp. pay for a quarterly blood sample HIV ELISA screen.

Edit: Scratch that. You're a student. They should have insurance that could pay for blood-work just in case though.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Why do you not trust your doctor?

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I want to know how do you start giving injections without being educated on blood-borne pathogens??

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I want to know how do you start giving injections without being educated on blood-borne pathogens??

What does this have to do with the fact that the OP was taking the pt's temp???

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The way this is all worded...like they said educate yourself on it. And it kind of is discriminating. Would you have worn gloves because you knew he had HIV/AIDS? Shouldn't matter who has what, treat patients the same(universal precautions). I don't like when people say "I'm extra careful because this patient has HIV or Hep C". What about the time it hasn't been diagnosed and something happens? Always always always universal precautions.

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