New CNA worried might have caught HIV working with HIV positive resident

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a new CNA, and I was changing a brief on an HIV positive resident on a vent who coughed and I got sprayed with mucus. I was wearing glasses and a mask, but I know that some got underneath the side of my glasses because of the angle at which I stood. I thought I was okay, but now, 3 days later I have a runny nose and fever. I'm really scared.

I know that HIV doesn't necessarily show up in tests for sometimes years, but I've heard they have new blood tests that are accurate-can anyone give me advice on this?

Are employers required to help you get tested for HIV? :confused:

Advice really appreciated!

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Any time an employee has been exposed to bodily fluids (whether the patient is HIV+ or not) they should report it to their supervisor and go directly to Employee Health for immediate blood tests. I sincerely doubt you have contracted the disease. The hospital will take care of any tests you should require as a result of this exposure. Try looking for a policy on the subject. Take a deep breath. Good luck.

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Specializes in LTC.

It can take up to 6 months after infection for you to make enough antibodies to show up on a test-- not years.

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You can sero-convert in 6 weeks to 3 months. You should be tested now, then again in 3 months, then 1 year to be sure. Its not that easy to be passed on the way your scenerio happened, and the protection you had on.

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Specializes in Medical.

I think you should definitely report the incident and have follow up surveillance. That said -

1) the incident you described is very low risk, even for a virus far more communicable than HIV (like hep B), particularly as you wore protective gear;

2) symptoms of seroconversion occur around two to four weeks post-exposure, so it's way too soon for the symptoms you described to indicate anything. As posted by members above, it can then take up to six months for antibodies to show up in your bloodwork.

Good luck, and try not to worry (which I know is easier said than done) :)

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There is HIV PROPHYLAXIS that you can take for 1 month if you have been exposed to bodily fluids, but it should be started within a few days after exposure. It might still work with more time elapsed from exposure.

Despite a relatively low chance of infection, please give yourself peace of mind and take the pills for 1 month.

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Specializes in CVICU.

What I really wanna know, is if he was on a vent, how the heck did mucus get on you? It goes into the ETT.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
What I really wanna know, is if he was on a vent, how the heck did mucus get on you? It goes into the ETT.
Perhaps she meant to say that the pt. had a trach. If the pt. had a tracheostomy, then sputum could easily land on top of anyone that comes within close proximity of him.
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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I agree with the other posters, the situation you describe is very, very low risk (in fact, even being poked with a needle contaminated by a known, HIV-infected person carries transmission rates in the tenths of a percentage). The symptoms you are experiencing now may be a cold, which you could also get from being *coughed* on.

Talk to your Employee Health Nurse about the situation, either way. They can guide you in the right direction.

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).
Perhaps she meant to say that the pt. had a trach. If the pt. had a tracheostomy, then sputum could easily land on top of anyone that comes within close proximity of him.

Ya got that right!!!

But I join the consensus--risk of HIV extremely low; risk of common cold, pretty high. It wouldn't hurt (well, not much, and not for long) to get tested, and the facility can probably check pt's HIV status. If they recommnend prophylaxis, take it, but they probably won't if the pt is negative.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Ya got that right!!!

But I join the consensus--risk of HIV extremely low; risk of common cold, pretty high. It wouldn't hurt (well, not much, and not for long) to get tested, and the facility can probably check pt's HIV status. If they recommnend prophylaxis, take it, but they probably won't if the pt is negative.

OP stated that the resident is known HIV positive.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Haha yes that's what I was thinking. Gotta watch out for projectiles! As for your question, did any of it get in your eyes, mouth, or even nose? Your skin is your body's first line of defense, so it should have done it's job so long as it didn't contact any mucosa or breaks in the skin. Personally, I would consult my supervisor.

my $.02

-ts

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